March 1940
The construction of a new sewer system by Lemon and
Blizzard started in 1938 had made good progress with Bell Lane complete and
Tilstone Lane almost finished. The contractors confidently informed the Eton
U.D.C. that after the testing of the system homes could be connected.
Unfortunately for the contractors the arrival of summer thunder storms found
serious leaks in the pipe work and the council had to apply pressure to the
contractors to rectify the faults. Complaints were also received from village
residents about the state of repair in which Bell Lane had been left. Replying
to the criticism the contractor claimed difficulties with the weather and the
shortage of supplies due to war priorities had delayed the re-instatement of
the road.
Re-arrangement of the A.R.P. within the village made
the wardens post at the Post Office redundant enabling the protection works to
be removed much to the relief of Mr and Mrs Chantler. The wardens post at
Burfoots remained until other arrangements were made. To test the efficiency of
various ARP organizations based around Slough a large scale practice was held.
As the ambulances, fire pumps, rescue units, police, St. Johns and the Red
Cross personnel with other essential services gathered on Agars Plough, Eton
four hundred Eton College boys prepared to act as casualties. Emergency
incidents were staged with the college boys giving a realistic touch to a most
successful exercise.
Thursday March 11th
Meat rationing began. The ration was assessed not by
weight but price, with a weekly ration for adults of 1/10d per week and for
children 11d. Later into the war the adult ration was reduced to six ounces per
week for any cut of meat. Rationing encouraged a black market which gave rise
to a little wheeling and dealing for various commodities. Favouring customers with a little extra than
the official ration allowed could lead to prosecution of the shop keeper.
Through village gossip it became known to the Ministry of Food Inspectors that George
Mumford, the village butcher, had occasionally let customers purchase more meat
than their entitlement. With indications of prosecution and thoughts of
imprisonment, George made arrangements for a manager to run his business. No
prosecution followed, but George was not let off the butchers hook as the
following relates. At the end of the war a coach party from the village,
including George, went to the Victoria Palace, London, to see the show starring
the Crazy Gang. Before the opening of
the show one wag from the village party went back stage and tipped off the two
comedians, Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen, about the affair. Later during the performance Bud Flanagan
said to Chesney Allen "Ches, Do you know where I can get a little extra
meat under the counter?" "Yes Bud, a little village near Windsor
called Eton Wick. "The Butcher there will see you alright". Poor
George had to take the ribbing as the story got round.
(Meat rationing together with some other food
commodities continued until July 1954.)
Easter Sunday 24th March
Apprehension of what may lie ahead and the desire to
pray for peace brought increased attendance at Sunday church services during
the war years. To mark certain wartime events special church services were held
attended by the military and council dignitaries. A large congregation at the
traditional Easter service taken by the Reverent David Wingate in St. John's
church, Eton Wick, heard the Eton church choir, conducted by the organist
Kenneth Weller, give a recital of ‘Passion music for Easter’. He was assisted by ladies from Eton Wick and
Boveney in a reverent rendering of the Messiah and exerts from John Stanier's "Crucifixion".
Duets were also sung by the brothers, Albert and Harry Prior.
The Easter Monday five - a - side annual football competition open to boys under fifteen years, is for the Juvenile Challenge Cup
presented by Boveney, Eton Wick and Dorney Discharged Soldiers and Sailors in
1921. Two competitions only (1940 & 41) took place during the war years which
were played on the recreation ground. The entry for 1940 being fifty five boys.
Eight eliminating games were played in the morning followed by the semi-final
and final in the afternoon. The final, between the team of R. Wilson (Capt); J. Butt; G. Budd; P. Mitchener and H.A. Prior
who pitted their skills against R. Lunnun (Capt); E. Steptoe; K. Sibley; F.
Wells and H. Lawrence brought a win to R. Wilsons team with a final result of
3- 2 goals. All the games were refereed by Mr W. F. Pardoe. Mrs Pardoe had the
honour of presenting the cups and medals to the Winners and Runners Up. The
competitors ended the exciting day on a high note as 432 cakes, 45 lb. of
toffee and a box of oranges was shared out amongst them'.
With no blackout arrangements available and used by
the L.C.C. School during the day the village hall was not available for
recreational purposes. Obtaining material from Bruce and Lumb of Slough the
village hall working party made the requisite curtains, but these when finished
were inadequate for the purpose due to the poor quality of the material,
therefore no dances or other evening activities took place during the winter
months. This curtailment on the use of the hall, also the decline in club
registers as members volunteered or were conscripted to the forces or other war
work reduced the hall finances. The flower show committee had every confidence
and they continued making arrangements for the 58th Horticultural Show on
August Bank Holiday held at the Wheatbutts. The possibility of air activity
over the area was to be no deterrent to Major Dabson, committee chairman with
committee members Mr Kemp and Mr Laverty,
The first six months of hostilities, labelled the
"Phoney War", had brought no air attacks on London thus encouraging a
number of evacuees to return home. Great efforts were made by the civil
authorities to deter their return to London but many parents thought it safe to
have their children home. A small number returned home from Eton and Eton Wick.
This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham.
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