The Village c1955, Monks Eleigh

Memories of A Youngster

I have many memories of Monks Eleigh. Although only 4 years of age, the sights I saw during the Battle of Britain in and around Monks Eleigh are vivid. Mother and I moved there in 1940, following Father who was with a searchlight regiment. We spent some time in a Tudor-style home known as "Hobarts" and some in "The Bungalow", then owned by a Mrs Gilmour. In the early 1990s I revisited Monks Eleigh with my wife and how the memories flooded back! There is the paddock where I collected pieces of Spitfires, Lancasters and FW108s and aluminium foil. Took them to the police station who promised us they would be made into planes for the RAF. There is the school, and The Swan (not that I visited there in 1940! I remember Father coming home on leave one day and asking me what I was playing with. I didn't know so showed the object to him. He very gently took it from me - I... Read more