Latimer memories
Here are memories of Latimer and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Latimer or a Latimer photo.
Idyllic Time
My army father was posted to the staff college in Latimer after his 3 years in the Korean war. One of the happier parts of my childhood in a lovely little rented cottage adjoining a farm with a big barn where we could play, there were chickens and horses for us to enjoy. Think it was on the road out of Chesham? School was called Longmeadow, and we often went to Chesham to feed the ducks and I also remember the model village at Beaconsfield and shopping in Amersham. It was a safe and stress free time for my family, after my dad's 2 years as a POW. Sadly, we soon had to move on to the next place.....and the next......constant upheaval and change was the norm for us Army kids. But I always remember the idyllic time in Latimer. We drove past there today and it is still beautiful, unspoilt and peaceful. Lovely memories of my dear parents.
Happy Memories
I joined the WRAC and was posted to JSSC in the beautiful village of Latimer in 1953, what a wonderful time that was. There were two of us arriving at JSSC on that April day and the first place we went to was the NAAFI. Up on the stage, were two soldiers playing music and one of them was the man I was to marry. I was accommodated in Latimer House right at the top with other WRAC personnel, we all got on famously. The only thing I had problems with were the bats that would sometimes fly out, I was terrified of them. I have photos of us girls up on the roof which was easy to get to. The village of Latimer had everything we needed outside of the camp - a friendly local pub, fish and chip cafe and shops, a cinema, what more could we ask for! Jim and I would love to know how our army friends are getting on.... Read more
Officer's Batman
I was posted to the J.S.S.C., Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire from my regiment in Germany {15/19 Hussars} and I was there for two years {1966-8}. I still have vivid memories of my time there; the officers houses' I worked at, the picket room, the N.A.A.F.I., the barracks, and the many officers 'do's' in which most of the time I had the job as glass-washer. There were thousands of them! And we never got finished til the 'wee hours'... I honestly can't say I enjoyed my stay there at the J.S.S.C. but I liked it a bit better than the regiment as I was continually home-sick, something you couldn't tell your nice, sweet sergeant-major!{ ha}. When I wasn't on telephone orderly duty at the weekends I used to hitch-hike on Friday evening all the way to my home in Northumberland via Watford, and get the train back on the Sunday night. Some of the lads stationed there like me also hitch-hiked. I've often thought was it worth it to spend a few hours... Read more
My Time 1952
I have some lovely nostalgic memories of the J.S.S.C Latimer, where I was stationed in 1952. Most of the period I was a provost policeman. There were 3 of us and a provost corporal, cpl Burrows, [I believe came from Wiltshire]. There was no R.S.M, but a warrent officer, [I forgot his name], also a camp commondant colonol Ackland, under him, major Hickey. The food was wonderful, the guys and gals terrific. My sleeping quarters was in the rear of the guardroom. (Does anyone have any pics of the guardroom or that area?) We had a cinema on site and a small snooker room. On one occasion I did some 'waiting' on at an officers gathering and got p---ed stupid, but I could hold my ale and no one could tell. Wonderful days, would anyone like to elaborate?. Best wishes to all.
Phil.
Fond Memories of JSSC And Lattimer House And Old Friends
I was posted to Latimer in 1954 from Hadrians Camp, Carlisle, and after walking from Little Chalfont Station with full kit it was great to walk into the guardroom and have someone stick a mug of tea in my hand, Corpral Homer MM. I also remember CSM Wacky Jones Major "DEBBIE " Renolds and many others from all services including WRAC, it was a great posting. I met my wife to be at one of the Officers Mess Balls, I was wine waiter, she was ladies cloak room attendant. We married November 1955 and were together 55 years. I wonder how many of the old gang are still around and if they ever get together down at the Queens Arms in Chesham. I remember one of the WRAC girls named Louise who met and married a local farmer around the time that my Joy and I got together, also Chris Kyvernites, Phil Lewis, Paddy Mcaffrey and Charlie Bailey whose mate carried him back from a Christmas Dance only to drop him down... Read more
Happy Days In Latimer
It was only two years or so, from 1959-61, aged 6-8, but it still seems as if the happiest period of my childhood in Latimer was one long, endless, glorious summer. My dad was in the army, in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, attached to the Joint Services Staff College there, now Latimer House, the conference centre. I don't know what my dad's job was, but his office, behind the married quarters and since demolished, was later (fortunately after we'd moved to Scotland) bombed by the IRA. Dad's secretary, Aunty Edna as we knew her (wife of Chick Allen), was injured in the blast. Chick and Edna had a grey alsation called Smokey. She seemed gigantic to us kids and would let us ride on her or rest our heads on her flank as she lay in the sun. She followed us when we played, and guarded us, nudging us off the road when a rare motor vehicle came along. Talking of 'aunties' - my brother Peter (2 years younger) and I... Read more
My Ancesters!
My memories are not of my own associations with Latimer, but I still feel a great affection for the place. When my grandparents got married in 1897 they went for a brief honeymoon in Latimer. My grandfather's aunt, Elizabeth Amanda Smith, had married the school master, Edward Stevens, and the family lived in the old school house. They invited my grandparents to spend their honeymoon there and I am told they had fond memories of the beautiful little village - as it was then!
Many years later, probably in the 1950s, my father and I visited Latimer and found the old school house probably looking much as it did in my grandparents days. What a beautiful district! I wonder if there are any records surviving from the school, listing it's teachers, and if Edward Stevens name is recorded there. I do not know where they are buried. I wonder if anyone can tell me if they are in the local churchyard? I would dearly love to have... Read more
JSSC Latimer
When I arrived at Latimer I went to find the guard room, only to find they did not have one, only a picket room. I was then asked if I was married, and told that if not I would be by the time I left the camp, they were right. I think the chap in the picket room was called Chicko. I had a great time at the MT section, the WRAC girls were nice. I was asked by an officer at nearby RAF Holton why I was driving an army staff car with a Commander of the Royal Navy as a passenger, during my time at Latimer I collected Members of Parliament and people like Sir Richard Crossman, they gave lectures at Latimer. David
My Time at The JSSC Latimer 1966 to 1968
I loved my time at this place.
1967-1968 Latimer House
I was posted to joint services staff college as it was then, I was there for 6 months during which time as a cook I served many famous people, including the Queen! Many fond memories for me, it was a very nice place.
Living at Latimer Village
I lived in Hollytree Cottage during the sixties, and was christened at St. Mary Magdalen Latimer. My father worked for Lord Chesham. Our house used to be the Cavendish Arms, a pub at one time. Many of the staff from the big house lived in the village after retiring at that time. We had a good village shop and everyone was very friendly.
Memories of Buckinghamshire
St Anselms Church Youth Club Easter Monday Ramble to The Sugar Loaf Inn
Every Easter and Spring Bank Holiday Monday (Whitsun as we used to call it) our youth club from Hatch End's St Anselms Church organised a ramble. In 1963 we had a splendid hike starting from Chalfont and Latimer station with our first stop just up the road at the Sugar Loaf Inn! These were popular activities for many years and I fondly remember so many friends I walked with: Judy Coles, Paul Gillam, Linda Clayton, John Walker, Marion Ashworth, Ian Francis, Carol Mulcaster, Betty Brewer, Mick Wilson, Michael Cox, Stan Ashworth, Barry Jolly, Stuart Kotchie and many others. Where are you all now and do you remember these hikes I wonder?
Nine Yrear Old Eyes
I remember the blacksmith's and his forge just along from the pub (The Swan I think? - could be wrong),also the wild raspberries, red and white, growing on the common across the road from the pub. I spent about one day in the school there in 1948-1950 and cried so much they had to send me home. I went to Cubs a couple of times at the top of Jasons Hill but hated that too, I was very insecure as were a lot of us kids just after the war. We lived at New House Farm.
We're All Grown up Now
Amersham - we had such a wonderful time with you, my sister, my two cousins and I. We were young, so we played, we swam, we chatted. We're all grown up now, with children of our own - I wonder if we could get back to you - would we be young again? 1958 - the year my sister was born. My parents were in Amersham that year. They're gone now, but you're still here. I'm very glad.
UPDATE:Mystery Solved!!
To Whom It May Concern:
I am an American living in the state of Maryland. I've had a picture in my office for quite some time now, that I recently took a better look at. Originally, I was told that this picture was of the city of Rockville, in Maryland, during the late 19th century. Upon closer inspection though, the picture has a pub by the name of 'The Hand 'n' Hand Wellers' and below that the sign reads, 'Amersham Ales'. That made me do some research and I'm now writing to this web site to find the answers to my questions concerning this picture. What year was it taken? Is that really St. Mary's in the background? Finally, was the pub a business that was owned by the same group or family that owns a lot of different Weller businesses and other establishments now?
I've viewed several pictures on this site and I believe the St. Mary's Church picture, circa 1955 is the biggest clue... Read more
Street Fair.
I used to be so excited about the street fair every September. It ran the entire length of Old Amersham High Street. I still have a precious photo of me, along with two little monkeys, which was taken at the fair. Possibly in about 1961.
My parents were married at St Mary's church in 1940, the same year my grandfather died. He was buried in the churchyard. My grandmother is also buried there, as is my dear mother.
Does anyone remember the doctor's surgery at the bottom of Gore Hill? Also, the old bus garage, which was more or less opposite?
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