Petersfield, John Small II's Tombstone 2005

Photo ref: P48727K

As a lad in the 1950's a Sunday run to see auntie in Petersfield was are regular event. A trip to see the lake and try to spot the large carp that would often rise was a treat. On the road there we would often see 'The Butser Turf company lorries load with supplies. The lorries then were ex army 4 x 4 from the war.

I distinctly remember taking part in one particular exercise on Petersfield Heath at the age of 15. We were divided into two detachments, one defending a position in a clump of trees on the high ground, and the other attacking it. The first section left the school earlier in order to establish the defensive position, and I was in the second detachment Intended to be the attacking party. We were all ...see more

This starts in 1938 when I was taken by my mother and ended up having tea with Bill Hogarth - Chinese tea, horrid. That September I started in Form One to be loudly proclaimed by Bill 'a dunderhead' as I could not understand Latin and most of the class had come through the prep school where it was taught. The result a hatred of languages since then. Held back in Form One I went with my mother and sister to Malta where ...see more

Thinking of my time in the aforesaid Cadet corps I clearly remember an exercise on the Heath when we were playing soldiers. To make things realistic we were using thunderflashes. Unfortunately the weather was hot and dry with the result that the "bangers" set fire to the gorse and bracken and the exercise had to be abandoned. Red faces among the staff, great amusement among the cadets.