Tidworth in The Mid 1950's
I attended this school in September of 1953 until December 1954, when I left and went to Salisbury College of Further Education. My father was in the army and we came back from Germany in July 1953 to live in married quarters at Clarendon Terrace, the regiment being in Bhurtpore Barracks. We went to Jordan in Feb 1956 but came back to UK in August 1956 because of the dangerous situation out there. We returned to Tidworth in July 1957 to Clarendon Terrace again, the regiment going into Aliwal Barracks. I got a job at W.H. Smith in Station Road and worked there until July 1959 when my Dad left the army and we moved to Rutland. I still go back to Tidworth every few years as I still have friends there from those days, I now live in Canada. There have been many changes over the years, but Tidworth basically remains the same, except for the barbed wire!! And of course, all the old MQs have gone, and the new ones look so much better. I will be visiting Tidworth again next spring.
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RE: RE: Tidworth in The Mid 1950s
Good to hear from someone else who attended Tidworth Down in the 1950s - I remember the names Pete Johnson, Pete McDougal and Midge Wake, but they were all at least a year older than me, so were in the last year class. I know that Pete Johnson was best man at my friend's wedding in 1961, then he went to Canada and I heard later that he had died. I too liked "Pop" Reason, he had us for biology, and Mr Exxon was for math. My classroom teacher was Mrs. Evans, also remember Mr James "Jimmo", headmaster, and Mr James woodwork, also Miss Lodwick either geography or history. I would have started at the school just after you, I remember Pat Moule, Pat Macklin, Elizabeth Schreiner, Sheila Boam to name a few. I think if you lived in Jellalabad MQs your father would have been in the barracks of the same name, at least that was the norm. My name was Bradbury back then.
Comment from Diane Kerwin on Monday, 7th March 2011.
RE: RE: Tidworth in The Mid 1950s
I too attended the Tidworth Down Secondary Modern in the 1950s. We arrived back in the UK from Hong Kong about April 1953 after being out there for almost 2 years. Our first families camp was in Corsham and, if my memory serves me right, it was called Lypiatt. We were there for a short time before going to Tidworth where my father was transferred. I am not sure of the barracks but we lived in married quarters named Jellalabad. My memories of school were mainly pleasant. I had the usual mix of severe and kindly teachers. I have often wondered about the old schoolmates I had, namely Pete Johnson, Norman Tate, Pete McDougal who lived next to a church graveyard, and Midge Wake who lived in one of the thatched cottages opposite the green. Mr Reason was my favourite teacher and Mr Exon was the least.
Comment from William Bollands on Monday, 7th March 2011.
RE: RE: Tidworth in The Mid 1950s
I don't know why the school seems to have such an important place in my memory because, like most of the servicemen's kids, we did attend quite a few schools during our school years. I remember Miss Lodwick, she took us for English. I don't think it will cause too much of a scandal if I mention that I once happened to be walking down a corridor behind her whilst Mr Senecals, the gardening teacher, had his hand firmly placed on her bottom. The look of suprise when they realised I was there was priceless. No words were spoken and she never referred to it either. At that time I was quite a sprinter and I have fond memories of "Pop" Reason driving some of us to various athletic meeting whilst competing with other schools. Marlborough College was one where I was running in the 440 yards (1st Place) and the 220 yards (2nd Place). Another student, Billy Plant, was competing in the long jump while the javelin was being contested and was called from his event to take his throw. He calmly took his throw and beat everyone with just one try. Magic!
Comment from William Bollands on Tuesday, 15th March 2011.
RE: RE: Tidworth in The Mid 1950s
I was known back then as Hazel Jones, I also went to Tidworth Downs in the early 1950s. We returned from Singapore with my father who was in the army and we lived in Tidworth in Bhurtpore Block - next to Jellalabad. I also remember the Gem cinema and the Garrison Theatre where we went dancing. The most exciting thing about finding this thread was reading the names that were so familiar to me, especially Mr Exon and Midge Wake who gave me my first ever kiss and his brother Dennis who gave me my second ever kiss :). I have never forgotten them. I would love to know if anyone remembers Christine Rice and Sheila Kirk as they were my best friends back then.
Comment from Hazel Morisco-Tarr on Thursday, 26th January 2012.
RE: RE: Tidworth in The Mid 1950s
I was known back then as Hazel Jones, I also went to Tidworth Downs in the early 1950s. We returned from Singapore with my father who was in the army and we lived in Tidworth in Bhurtpore block - next to Jellalabad. I also remember the Gem cinema and the Garrison Theatre where we went dancing. The most exciting thing about finding this thread was reading the names that were so familiar to me, especially Mr Exon and Midge Wake who gave me my first ever kiss and his brother Dennis who gave me my second ever kiss :), I have never forgotten them. I would love to know if anyone remembers Christine Rice and Sheila Kirk as they were my best friends back then.
Comment from Hazel Morisco-Tarr on Thursday, 26th January 2012.
RE: RE: Tidworth in The Mid 1950's
Hazel - I think you were at the school before me - we were in Germany until mid 1953, and I started Tidworth Down in Sept of that year. Lucky you with Midge Wake! He and Billy Plant were the heart-throbs of us younger ones! I think Christine Rice was good friends also with Julie Lister, - I didn't know Julie then or her older sister Shirley, but I met Shirley in 1957 when we both worked in WH Smiths up Station Road. We stayed good friends all these years, sadly she died last year in June. I still miss her. I am still in touch with Julie and her husband, and with Terry Grove, Shirley's husband. I have lived in Canada since April 1968, but try to get back to UK every few years, always go to Tidworth, but it won't be the same with Shirley gone. Did you ever go to the dances up at the Garrison Theatre? Shirley and I started going in 1958, loved it. Please don't think I am nit-picking, but Bhurtpore was next to Candahar block when we were there. And my dad's regiment went into Bhurtpore also in 1953, - we lived in Clarendon Terrace. I think the barracks went: Aliwal, Assaye, Bhurtpore, Candahar, Delhi (hospital) then Jellallabad, Mooltan.
Comment from Diane Kerwin on Friday, 27th January 2012.
RE: RE: Tidworth in The Mid 1950's
Diane - how wonderful to hear from you. it has made me so happy - especially to see the name Midge Wake. W.H.Smith was my first job on leaving school - I worked in the kiosk. I certainly did go dancing at the Garrison theatre every week. Great times. I also saw Franki Vaughan when he appeared there. I also remember Mr Exon - he was a bit scary. I had a feeling that I was wrong about Bhurtpore and Jellabad. Thanks for putting me right. Wonderful memories, thank you. So sorry about your friend. Sorry for the late reply and I'd love to hear from you again.
Comment from Hazel Morisco-Tarr on Monday, 6th February 2012.