The Eton Manor Clubs, Once More in the Wick
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
that many have felt the same, both during the Great War. and also during this spot of bother. The first Reunion Dance, of which an account is given (thin elsewhere, brought home to me how much the old Club means to us all whether one numbers one's period of membership rhe Magazine of by months or years. Las! year both Bill Deane and Johnny Turrell sent me the THE ETON MANOR CLUBS, followmg verse, the truth of which is very apparent in times Rlseholme Street, Hackney Wick, E.' like those through which we are passing and which expresses so well our feelings: - . The copYriSht of all matter, both Engravings and Letterpress, From quiet homes and small beginnings i ••trictly reserved in Great Britain, the Colonies, Dominions Out to the undiscovered ends, and the United States of America. There's nothing worth the wear of winning But laughter and the love of friends. N•. lOO-Vol. XXXIII. JANUARY, 1945. As a result of the Reunion Dance I can assure members that PRICE 2d. the success of our Forces must be due to some other factor than discipline, for Majors and Squadron-Leaders and other officers were treated as though they were two a penny or four for .tuppence! (So returning privates, if there should be any ONCE MORE IN THE WICK left, need not feel shy). That, however, is the atmosphere ~which will always prevail in the Eton Manor Clubs, together Although in the past year Eton Manor has lost many mem with the Manor smile and the Manor spirit. bers who were the very light of her eyes, we must thank Providence for the great victories which have brought us far A. VILLIERS. along the road to peace. There is HttI£' doubt that English historians of the future will look on 1944 as ranking in im portance with 1914 and 1940. Two outstanding events of the SERVICE SHORTS war are the amazing skiJI with which our army of a quarter The two reunion dances held on Saturday, 16th, and Satur of a million was withdrawn from Dunkirk (no doubt if day 30th December, set the seal on the Club's return to Rise Schickelgruber had attempted invasion the Home Guard would holme Street. Among Forces members present on 16th Decem have found the men from Dunkirk quite useful as reserves!) ber were Bill Ashley, Alf Graves, Sherby Brooks, Jim Cray, and the equaJly remarkable triumph of the Normandy Percy Bales, G. J. Johnson, Bert Cole, Eddie Chapman il).vasion. "Dusty" Sawyer, Tom Pike, "Taff" Wilson in all the splen~ It is perhaps well for us always to remember that when in dour of his Squadron I,eadership, accompanied by Mrs. "Taff," 1940 the British Empire stood alone, the safety of these the one and only "Mottle" Atkins, Eric Ladd, Charlie Beach, islands depended almost entirely on the efforts of those who Len Harris and "Butch" Reid. The work of getting the old had taken the trouble to train themselves before the war building ready to receive its great family of members was began. The Battle of Britain was a triumph for the R.A.F., lightened by the efforts of Len Harriswho spent most of his but they would be the first to admit that without the miracles leave helping to bealltify the Club premises. Stan Grace. performed by the British Navy and Mercantile Marine their E. J. Chapman1 E. Wren, Jack Chubb, F. Poole, John Phillips. efforts would have been in vain. Since 1940 equally gallant tqe two Scotts, Alf, our Major, and Charlie, Tom Watkinson deeds have been performed by thousands and thousands, but were also there, with Dave Rumens and many more. Mr. the glory of 1940 belongs largely to those who joined the Villiers brought Sir Edward Howarth and Mr. Liddell. Many Forces before the war began. ladies and a large number of the Veterans were present. The The story of the adventures of D-day in which so many of Hall was decorated and most effectively lighted, Cliff Rogers' our members took part is stilI fresh in our minds. The way Dance Band lived up to its reputation and the Bar (a very in which the American and British forces worked together popular pla<;e) was very efficiently run by Mr. Warren, Bob under Eisenhower has shown the world that where there is a and Mrs. Stone and Jack Davis. will there is a way. Troops of the United States and the Several old members came to the second reunion notably British Empire co-operated together successfully in one of the Sam Vincent, Albert Scotchmer and L. Pavitt. For~es mem most hazardous military operations ever known, and the only bers not at the previous "do" were Dick Neve Ernie Macfar chance of a long peace is for this spirit of co-operation to lane, Fred with Mrs. Mitchel1, .Tohnny Lyons who brought Mrs. continue. Lyons, Denis Ward, Charlie Ph illips, "Snozzle" HiIlyard Ron In pre-war days it was my good fortune to go frequently Hill, C. Reid and Al Bridges. Harry and Mrs. Rob~rtson to America and I found what Manorites whose duties are thought nothing of making the long journey from Wales in taking them across the Atlantic are finding out all the time, order to be present. Our thanks go to George Pickering who that American kindness and hospitality have to be experienced was M.C. on both occasions; it would be difficult if not im- to be believed. It can only be equalled by a Beale or a Self. possible to find a better M.C. It is sad that we could not do the same for the Americans who The fourteen days between these two evenings were pro were in England owing to their numbers and prevailing con bably the coldest in living memory but the cold did not freeze ditions. At any rate, these friendships which have been made up the stream of visitors to the Club. It was grand to come must be one of the answers to the Huns and others who are into the little office and find Wally Webbe on leave from . for ever trying to find reasons for discord. It is no exaggera Burma and to hear, at first hand, that his copies of CHIN-WAG tion to say that Anglo-American friendship is the keystone of had come to him by parachute while he was enjoying life in a more tranquil WOrld-50 let every Manorite work for it. mid-jungle. Until they realised that the word "mottle" on The great event in the life of Eton Manor has been the a parcel of gym shoes referred to their colour, the staff were liberation of the Riseholme Street premises. Useful as Water got guessing as to how "Mottle" had managed to get at these den Road has been, delightful as is the Wilderness, there is in the sorting office. something about the atmosphere of the Wick which cannot be Richie Davies from the B.L.A. looked in and from Scotland found elsewhere. After all, there is no place like home, and came W. Harry Shaw. Reg Beach brought his bride and again the Wick means home for hundreds and hundreds of Manor proved that in the matter of choosing partners Manorites show ites. If an unlucky bomb injured the Club, the tradition of excellent taste. .T. Kaley brought first-hand news of his brother the Club would be the same as long as it was in the same Reg, whom he had seen in Italy when passing through on his spot. A new building would only be like a new suit of clothes. way home after escaping via Yugo Slavia from Southern Aus The Victoria and the Gutter Hotel, the Park and the Cllt,. tria; his story cannot be told until the war is over but he the Church and the 'bus stop, Lovett's shop and "under the brought word of George Rex who is still in German hands. Arch" and countless other old and familiar landmarks and old Manorites everywhere will be pleased ·to hear that two and fanliliar faces make up that home to which we hope and Boys' Club members have been chosen to play for the London pray that there will soon be a return. Federation against the Bristol Federation at football on A certain John Stillwell (not, I believe, related to J. S., 27.1.45, L. Wills imd J. Glover, and Glover has been ask~d to the Manorite) said that when he was at Arnhem he prayed to Captain the London Team. ;Heaven that he might see Hackney Wick again. I know THE ADJUTANT'S ECHO. E 2 CHIN-WAG J anlls!',., 1945 January, 1945 CHIN-WAG 3 ----------.--~----~~~~--'---------:~-= with the children. We have had two games recently, h~:ln.g AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE HOUSE Mem ·In h handy in this quiet part of the world.b k The lads Allare readingh b ESSAY"WRI1~NG ,bers Now t ..'" Forces them now: Let's hope we'll be ac next year. t e est won onc and drawn the other." FRANK RA YMEN I :. 11:15 COMPS. The Essay-Writing comp. held the week commencing Army: S. Hillyard. to all the boys and the Club.", H. A. COX: "! have been country is naturally wet and made wo ne by JeI~ry fi~odl11g It, 25th Novemher, resulted in a win for Dark Blue: 29 pts., transferred to Headquarter's staff. I say 'unfortunately' as I consequently most of the time we plod about 111.