The War Years
It would be inappropriate to record the history of King's Sutton without a page to indicate the great sacrifice which many residents were able to make in times of war. The following is by no means a complete record but gives an indication of the variety of tasks carried out during various conflicts.
If you have any material that you consider could be published here ...email me at... War_Years@kingssutton.net
( The following content is taken from the Book of King's Sutton, published in 1993 and should be read in that context. )
The War Years
John "Shoemaker" Wyatt who lived in the cottage in Bull's Lane now known as Old John's Cottage took part in the relief of Khartoum in 1884 when he was just 20 years old. He was awarded the Egypt Star and went on to serve in the army for 40 years. One hundred and sixty men from King's Sutton fought in the Great War between 1914 and 1918 and the names of 22 men who lost their lives are recorded on the War Memorial in the cemetery and on a plaque in the West Porch of the Parish Church.
Arthur Halestrop who first came to live in the village in 1963 joined the Royal Engineers in 1916. He is now 95 years old and sang in the church choir until last year. ( as at 1993 But see Village People Page for more information)
The Second World War brought vast changes to our village when from the outset of hostilities on 3rd September 1939 men and women were called away from their families to serve in. the Armed Forces. Many women were also required to serve in the St John's Amubulance Brigade, the Red Cross and the Women's Voluntary Service etc. and those who had joined as volunteers before the war found themselves mobilised for the duration of hostilities. Men from the village who had joined the Royal Engineers Railway Reserve, specialising in operating railways, were also quickly mobilised along with others.
People employed in agriculture had to work to feed the nation and women, particularly if they were married or were not required in the Armed Forces, took to covering the many and varied jobs of men who had been called-up. Children helped with potato picking and the like whilst the older children worked on the land during the school holidays. Men who were either too old, too young or in 'Reserved' occupations and therefore, excused full-time military service, joined the King's Sutton Home Guard unit. Both men and women joined the Civil Defence and carried out duties such as Air Raid Wardens and firewatchers. Between 5.30am, Friday 1st September and midnight on Sunday 3rd September 1939 approaching 600,000 children accompanied by their teachers left London for safe billets in the country and King's Sutton received its share. The Women's Voluntary Service organised the distribution of the children throughout the village and many had to be placed in cottages where there was very little room. The Government paid 8s.6d. per week for each child. Some of these children stayed on after the war in Europe had ended in May 1945. Those still with us today include John Cheney, Bet Essex and her brother George. Kathy, Rose and George Hawtin were billeted on the Probert family in Richmond Street. Kathy married "Butcher" Taylor's grandson. Charlie Thompson and Billy lived with Mrs Cousins, there were three Cates girls, Ann who stayed with Mrs 1. Wyatt, Violet with Mr Fortnum and Charlotte with Mrs Tew. Betty NeIder and Margaret Thompson were sent to Mrs Dale, Mrs Clargo had a girl named Ruth whilst her brother went to Mrs Cadd. Connie Curry lived with Mrs Ayriss, Tommy Fichet with Mrs Harris and Lily Aldridge with Mrs Mold. The teachers who accompanied them were Miss Richards, Miss Morfew, Mrs Nash, Mrs Legge and Miss Geoghan. Some women were directed into the Women's Land Army rather than the Armed Forces etc. and several were sent to King's Sutton. Also, towards the end of the war, a number of Prisoners of War were employed on local farms. At nearby Hinton-in-the-Hedges the RAF constructed an airfield which is still used today by private aircraft and gliders. It was then used as an operations training unit and the airmen stationed there entered into the social life of our village.
A land-mine was dropped by the stream at the bottom of The Greens beyond the top of Paradise. The consequent explosion caused a fair-sized crater which filled with water and provided a very popular swimming pool for the children. As in the First WorId War families were bereaved and the names of the nine men and one woman, Susan Otto, who died were added to the War Memorial. Miss Otto is believed to have been serving with the Special Operations Executive. The British Legion was very active after the war finally ended in August 1945. From 1952 Mr Ernie Cadd was a constant winner of the North Oxfordshire Group standard bearers contest. As the 1914-18 and 1939-45 ex-servicemen have grown older and younger men have not come forward to take their place interest has declined and the King's Sutton branch in now defunct. One of the strange coincidences of war is well remembered by George Bevis of Red Lion Street. Whilst serving with the Royal Horse Artillery in the famous 7th (Desert Rats) Armoured Division his unit was based in Tripoli, North Africa awaiting the arrival of landing barges to begin the assault on Italy. One of the Supply Column drivers George quickly recognised as a King's Sutton man, was Jack Cox who lived just around the comer in Bull's Lane. Finally, no record of the war years would be complete without a tribute to the wives, mothers and girlfriends who had to endure long periods of separation from their loved ones. They also had to cope with war-time food shortages and be expected to feed not only their family but also their sons and daughters returning home for short periods of leave which did not entitle them to draw additional rations. It is difficult to now imagine with our supermarkets full to overflowing, how an adult survived, for example, on 40z of bacon or ham, I s.2d. of meat, 20z of butter and 4oz of margarine per week.
Arthur Halestrap (Sept 1898 - Apr 2004)
