Some Memories Of Somerton

A Memory of Somerton.

My name is Marilyn Allen I was brought up in Somerton with my dear Grandmother Mrs Phear whose husband was killed at Somerton Milk Factory which was called Cow and Gate he had been transfered from Wincanton to work there. On the morning of September 29th 1942 a bomb was dropped on the factory. My Grandfather's name was Charles John Phear and together with other people that lost their lives on that day his name can be seen on the cenotaph in the Market Place at Somerton. I was told by my Grandmother that my Uncle James (Jim) Dyke who was an engineer at the factory had a day off that day and obviously not knowing what terrible thing would happen that morning. His poor colleague who I believe was called Robert Tanner took his place that day sadly and apparently my Uncle was extremely upset on hearing the sad news which ofcourse was understandable. I was born in July 1947 so never knew my Grandfather. He originally was from Dulverton and moved to Queen Camel to work as a Groom for a Major Hudson's horses. But later my Grandmother persuaded him to work at Cow and Gate at Wincanton which was her home town so he moved for her. But really his favourite job was working with horses i understand as he had been used ro that work in Dulverton.
I first went to a school called Chicksees at Somerton where the teacher was Miss Hession following that I went to Monteclefe School. I remember our Vicar at the time was called Reverend Hayter and my friend Diana Unitt and I knew 1 of his daughters very well her name was Angela. The teachers at Monteclefe at the time were Miss Bibby and Miss Godfrey. Miss Godfrey used to play the piano when necessary. After some time a lovely teacher arrived and she was called Miss Swain. At the age of 11 I then went to Huish Episcopi where the Headmaster was Mr William Cheek.

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