Shaftesbury Homes Bisley 1936/40

[johnpeel]

There must be many young lads who were in the Shaftesbury Homes at Bisley and served in the forces as the grounding given there was run on service lines.

Before  WW2 we used to form up on the parade ground in ranks of four, then when ranks of three came in we changed also.

Who remembers Bill Whylie an ex naval housemaster who was called up 1939 and then returned as  he was not accepted for naval service?

I have seen nothing about any references to the many young boys who became men in a very short time, and young heroes.

Where are you all ?

Johnpeel

Moderator comment: please don't post details of living people on Rootschat, in order to protect their privacy.  Thanks

[Sharon Brennan]

John

Can you tell me a little bit about the home please. I am writing a family history book and some of my family lived there. Some after 1915 when their father died and Peter Seabrook after his mother died in 1939. Perhaps he was there when you were there. He was born in 1932 and died in 1996. Not living in England means I know little about these homes.

Thanks

Sharon Brennan

[johnpeel]

Hi Sharon,

I think I have got it right that Peter was 7 when he went into The Shaftesbury Home in 1939 and it is very unlikely that I personally would have not known him as I went there in 1936 at age of 10 and left in 1941.

He would have entered the junior part of the school which was separate from the older boys establishment although we all attended the junior part for educational classes.

I have not had many contacts with other such boys who were with me as I expect that either they do not have accesss to computers or are few and far between now.

I have pictures of the schools though and would be happy to forward but I am not sure if it is politic to send e.mail addresses on this site.

The last time I saw one that I positively knew was in 1946 when returning to U.K. from abroad. However if there are any questions you would like to be answered I will help.

I even have some pictures of the class that I was in and some of the two establisments.

I will enquire of the moderator what the procedure is for forwarding information.

Regards John

[Petethebeat]

Hello John,
My father (also called John) is writing his memoirs and attended Bisley between April 1940 and December 1946.  He remembers Bill Whylie (with the bow legs!) and bandmaster Pop Hope.  My father played third cornet in the band.
I'm acting as go-between as my father is not yet connected to the internet.  Looking forward to hearing from you,

Pete

[lesleyblahblah]

My dad Norman 'chobby' wells was at  Bisley from 1937 until the mid 40s when he then moved to Fordham House. He is in the picture third from the right in the front row.

[WilliamLornePaxton]

Hi there,
I am doing some research on my dad who just passed away two weeks ago. He was at Bisley probably around 1941 or so. I believe he was about 11 when he started Bisley. He was born in 1931.

His name was Lorne Paxton

Now everyone calls him Bill

HIs Full name was William Lorne Paxton.

After Bisley he went to Canada, he was actually a canadian.

Here are a couple of photos that I have, in one he may be a bit too young and the other too old, but if you knew him hopefully this will be enough to jog your memory.

Thanks,
Lorna Paxton