Haddenham Camp 1943
This photograph was contributed by Brian Hester. See his comments below.
Brian Hester writes (June 2009): From left to right:Phillip Dobb, who died young and was a younger brother of Vic Dobb whose name has appeared elsewhere on this website. He followed Vic to Canada but returned to the UK. Phillip was in D intake of 1939 but was held back a year. I believe he spent time in the navy and was a school teacher in Canada.
Charles Melbourne, still alive in Ruislip. We have been life long friends and meet whenever I am in England. A stream 1940 intake.
Peter Munns - a keen scout - C stream 1940 intake.
Mick Armitt (A stream intake 1940) now a retired doctor living in Cheshire. We met for lunch when I was last in England. He looks the same.
Brian Hester - also A stream 1940 - before I started to wear glasses all the time.
Peter Westlake B ? intake 1939.
David Bishop was in the A intake of 1939 but was held back a year - we met for lunch a few years ago - he figures on that rather poor quality photo that is on the school page - David took holy orders in the C of E and qualified as an architect - he retired as a dean (Dean Bishop!) with the job of looking after church buildings etc. He is an accomplished water colour artist and has sold several hundred paintings.
Peter Youens.
We were working in a field near Hardwick in Buckinghamshire north fo Aylesbury where we were stcking beans. 1943 was the depth of WW2 when clothing was strictly rationed. I suspect Charles Melbourne was growing out of a school uniform so wore it to destruction that summer!
I don't recall who took the photograph but he must have saved the film for a considerable time as that commodity was unobtainable for several years around that time. With three others, not shown on the photo, I worked for the same farmer for most of the month of August. At the conclusion he paid us a cash bonus, I collected the money and recall him opening the sideboard cupboard where people generally stored bottles of drink. It was piled high with pound notes. He simply picked up four and gave them to me to distribute. A nice gesture as we really worked hard for him and we were paid a magnificent three pence a day!