Farlington The War Years

RE: RE: Farlington The War Years

Gerald Thompson probably attended Manor House School at the same time I did, although I don't remember the name. I also remember the air battles in 1940 and the massive build-up of troops and vehicles in the surrounding countryside just prior to the invasion. The whole area was sealed off from non-residents. There was an anti-aircraft battery between Farlington and Bedhampton which always put up a spirited defence against the Luftwaffe. Scratch-Face Woods, which ran Northwards from Bedhampton, was a favourite adventure area for my friends and I, who spent the summer holidays roaming everywhere on our bicycles. We were disturbed in the woods once by a unit of Royal Navy Commandos (it was on their shoulder flashes) on exercise, the only time I ever came across them. During those times we lived in Havant with my grandparents, but afterwards they moved to 'St Margarets' 189 Havant Rd, Drayton, where my brother was born. My grandmother is buried in St Andrew's Church, Farlington. She was a magnificent Irish woman, the terror of errand boys and careless shopkeepers. As a young soldier I attended her funeral in 1955. I was very fond of her. The graveyard became very overgrown and when I searched for her grave in the 1970s I could not find it. This year (2009), on a visit from Australia, I succeeded at last. The grass had been cut and a kind lady from the parish council, whose husband had been in HM Customs, took a great deal of trouble to help me find it with the aid of parish records. The grave is recorded as Wife of Capt C.E. Garrard RN. A family duty accomplished.