Early Years
From birth until I joined the Royal Navy, at 15 years of age, I lived in a very rural area about a mile outside of Sundridge. The cottage we lived in was about 1/2 way between Sundridge and Ide Hill, very near Sundridge Hospital. It had the, almost, unbelievable name of New Batney Brooms. We were surrounded by open farmland and woodland so I spent the school summer holidays running around these ideal play grounds. Ah what memories!
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RE: RE: Early Years
I went to live in Sundridge when I was eight years old, the eldest of three children. My dad was killed the year before in London, he was a fireman in the AFS. One of my most vivid memories was walking to school at Brasted and being machine gunned by crashing German fighter planes, on two separate occasions, I was told that the pilot was probably trying to get rid of all his shells and bullets before he crashed, I must say I did not believe that at the time. We were really in 'Bomb Alley' with Biggin Hill Fighter Station up on the hill behind us! At Coombe Bank a huge field was given over for the storage of crashed airplanes, ours and the enemy's, and it was my ambition to have a compass from one of these. I tried many times (dodging the RAF Police and their dogs who constantly patrolled the site), all to no avail!. I left Sundridge when I was 65 and went to live in Scotland, but that's another story!
Comment from Ernest Warwick on Wednesday, 28th April 2010.
RE: RE: Early Years
Hi Aubrey,
Was the disused sand pit just down the lane from you when you lived at Batney Brooms ? My first thoughts at the mention of Batney Brooms is the vast areas of wild strawberries! they grew so profusely that us kids used to take a bowl and in no time it was filled and back home with it for mum to make us a "rare pudding" for afters.
Comment from Ernest Warwick on Tuesday, 9th November 2010.
RE: RE: Early Years
Hello,
I am collecting memories of both Sundridge and Brasted Schools. If you have any memories to share I would to hear from you.
Best Wishes
Kathy Taylor
Comment from Kathy Taylor on Sunday, 10th April 2011.