Netheravon, the School c1965

Small Arms Corps, Netheravon 1941 - 1945

I'm wondering if anyone can provide me with the exact address of the Small Arms Corps (I believe this is the Camp featured), that existed during the Second World War? My father was a weapons instructor stationed in Netheravon between 1941 and 1945, and I'd like to take him on a trip down memory lane in February. I believe the Military no longer exist in Netheravon, but if anyone has any memories of the Small Arms Corps (Infantry Heavy Weapons School), Middlesex Regiment or better still can remember Leslie Fordham (known as Wally), then please get in touch. He fondly talks of Jerry Seed and Georgie Best, and it would be wonderful not only to take him back to Netheravon (we live in Cambridge), but to meet up with others from his past.

Addition to Con's entry

Being Con's older brother, my memories go back a bit further, having started school about the day war was declared, going to the village school, with Miss Burling(?) - rumour had it that she changed the spelling of her name from Berlin (for obvious reasons). There are a lot of hazy wartime memories as well which would occupy a lot more space. I have memories of winding the church clock, back in the early 1950s, climbing that long ladder into the bell tower, knee deep in twigs left by the nesting rooks. There must also have been quite a stir in the village back in about 1937, though I obviously don't remember it, when Dad won a small fortune (in those days) on the 'Pools'. From the old photo I have we must have been living at Avondale at that time, though we later moved to 279 Ablington, just down the garden from 292 where Gran and Grandad lived, with about 60 chickens and, in the early days of the war, a pig or two. Schoolday names that come to mind are Brian Drayson, Michael Mosely, Wally Read, David Pennels (with his 'fleet' of go-carts), Peter Bullivant. Having moved away in the mid 1950s, I've rather lost touch, but still remember nights at the Club, playing Bingo, and on one very odd occasion winning either a line or full house on all but one of the games played - but maybe old age (mine) is exagerating things. I live in Chester now ,with three grown -up children, two living locally and one in Bulgaria, who we recently visited. We also have three grandsons,two married, and one 4 year old (soon).

Post Office

The post Office was run by a Mrs Titt in the 1950s and the post lady was to be, in later life, my aunty.

Born and Bred

Born in Ablington just after the war we moved to Avon Banks, where I lived until married in 1970. My mother's father, mother and brothers (Fenners) all lived in Figheldean. Having read other peoples memories it brought back probably the most enjoyable part of my youth.

The Mill Pool

I lived at Netheravon from 1968 - 1972 (my father was in the RAF based at Old Sarum) and went to school at St Michaels Figheldean.
I remember we used to go swimming in the mill pool by the weir. I remember nearly drowning there, showing off in deep water under the big tree (still there) near the weir. I was saved by a girl called Sharon Parsons and probably never thanked her and certainly never told my mum when I got home. Other than that experience it was a great place to hang out in the summer and learn how to fish too - starting off on minnows by the footbridge and moving on to greyling and trout (probably illegally). A lovely village and well overdue for a visit. I live in North Oxfordshire so not too far away.