1943 1957

A Memory of Bedhampton.

I came to live in the Post Office cottages Bedhampton opposite Coldmans and the Belmont Tavernin 1943, with my grandprents Mr and Mrs Collins, living next door to my Auntie Mrs Dalton. My gran work for Mrs Mason at Masons farm where my grandad worked on the farm. My Dad after coming out of the navy worked for Carrolls. I sunday schooled at the gospel hall, and later became a choir boy at Bedhmpton church. Went to school at Bedhampton and later at Havant Secondary Modern.
Amongst my mates in these early days were David Wain and Tony Reeves.
Out of school time was spent in Bedhampton park, in the woods, or down the shore having mud fights in the trenches.
Wartime sirens sounded regularly day and night, and much time was spent in air raid shelters. A large naval camp was across the road from us, with a naval gun emplacement on the opposite side to the camp enterance(my cousin Lily met er husband there).
Sweets were bought at Paynes sweet shop opposite Bedhampton school on Sundays, sweets being on ration book at this time, 2 ounces for 3 old pennies, (our allowance for the week.)
I went on to play cricket for Bedhampton, football for Havant, we later moved to New Road, where my cousin still lives in the same house.,
At 18 I joined the army, and for the first time left the Bedhampton area ( other than sunday shool outing to Littlehampton), for training at Catterick in Yorkshire...I said to my Dad I have never been to London, now I have to go "right up there", from there I went to Germany.
Later married a Havant girl, movedto Emsworth and now living in West Sussex. Bedhampton has not changed that much, maybe more housing/people. Charles Collins