Crays Pond c1960, Woodcote
Crays Pond c1960, Woodcote Ref: W257003
Memories of Crays Pond c1960, Woodcote
WW2
I was evacuated to some wooden bungalows in Goring Road and lived with Percy and Renee Bonner. Renee's relations were Romany gypsies who lived in Woodcote. The photo shows The White Lion and the village shop which I believe was "Pointers Stores". Percy ran a log delivery business, and these were delivered by horse and cart to surrounding areas by Percy, and although only 10 yrs old, myself!! I can safely say that despite the war and my young ignorance, they were the happiest days of my childhood.
I remember a shed nearby in which shoe repairs and accumulators were re-charged and the proprietor suffered a pronounced limp. A nice chap he was. The shed was sited at the entrance to a drive to a large house whose owners were named Brewer or Burton or similar. I spent many hours with a son of the house called Peter, exploring surrounding areas.
The Bonners were wonderful people and treated me as a son. They did have a young daughter called Lena... Read more
Story After, my Family
Regarding the statement of Percy Bonner and his wife Rennie Bonner, written by Ken Crammer:
These people were my aunt and uncle.
Uncle Percy and Aunt Rennie went on to have 2 children, Louisa and Percy aka Penny, both married and continued to live in Crays Pond with their children and grandchildren near by.
In 1966 Uncle Percy was in a tragic accident when a tree fell on him and he was killed, Aunt Rennie died after having a heart attack in the 1970s.
Aunt Rennie was the sister of my father Joseph Smith.
The photo brings back memories of waiting outside with my coke whilst Uncle Percy and my father were inside drinking pints.
If anyone would like to contact me regarding any of the persons above then please email me johnalbiejoe@yahoo.com
Bonners
Penny went on to have 2 boys, Joe and Frankie, Frankie being the same age as me. We used to play at Rogers Yard, Penny Royal, which I think was once owned by Penny's dad. But given two Frank Rogers in the family I am not sure.
Woodcote & local memories
Read and share memories of Woodcote and Berkshire inspired by Frith photos.
RAF Woodcote; 70MU; 1941 - 1959.
Very few people realise that there was a RAF Maintenance Camp in Woodcote during and after the Second World War years. There is a comprehensive history of this operational base with archive photos and local oral memories at :- http://www.mycetes.co.uk/b/index.html Have a look now before all the old tell tale signs are gone forever as nature reclaims the land back.
