Pen Selwood During the Second World War
The Church
During the war, the ringing of church bells was the warning of enemy invasion. Bells were rung for the first time on if Day 1945, and with such vigour that those in Pen who remember say they have never, before or since, heard so many hells rung so loud and for so long. Pen Selwood was not involved in the mix-up in Somerset on 7 September 1940, when a code word was misinterpreted and church bells were rung in many parishes in the belief that the invasion had begun. There were three incumbents during the war, the Revd N Parsons, the Revd R Dawson and the Revd C Hinchcliffe. There were periods, however, when there was no one, and the church wardens had to seek out clergymen to take the Sunday services. At that time, Holy Communion was at 8.30 am, Mattins at 11 am and Evensong at 6.30. It was not practical to black out the church, so, once the days began to shorten, Evensong was held in the afternoon and there was also Sunday School in the afternoon. Children played an active role in all the services, as they pumped the organ. The Rectory was empty for some time, and the church wardens kept an eye on it. On one occasion, Mr Young of Pen Ridge Farm went to check the Rectory, and found that an owl had got in and had made it its home for some time. There was no part of the Rectory that was not fouled with its droppings. Frank Moldram was the Verger, Sexton and Captain of the Bell Ringers during the war. His occupation was woodsman, and an injury, sustained at work before the war, excluded him from active war service. A Part from grave-digging, his duties as Sexton included attending to the church heating boiler. In the winter, he would go to the church on Saturday afternoons and light the boiler. He would leave at 4 o'clock and go home. He would return to stoke the boiler at ten and the church would then be warm for Holy Communion on Sunday morning. One Saturday night, when he went into the church, he saw above the altar a pair of eyes shining at him in the light of his hurricane lamp. He was not a little apprehensive as he walked up the aisle to investigate, and was enormously relieved to discover it was a cat. Frank was also responsible for trimming and lighting the oil lamps hanging on brass chains. They could not be used at night, however, because of the blackout. As Captain of Bell ringers, Frank led his team on if Day in ringing a half-peal (only then there were only four bells). It is not known for sure, but it is Frank would have overlooked the barrel of cider that traditionally team for long sessions. The village shop was very well stocked, but there were also weekly deliveries. The grocer came round on a motorcycle combination and took orders,which he then delivered next day in his van. Waltons of Bourton (now Toad Hall also delivered. The butcher came up in a van once a week and "Fishy Day" brought fresh fish once a fortnight. Milk was supplied locally by the farms. Bread was delivered by pony and trap. Farmers were able to shop in Gillingham or Wincanton when they went to market. The Mail The village Post Office moved twice during the war. To start with, it was in Bleak Street. It then moved to "Farthyngs" and finally came to rest at the village shop at "Pen Cottage", where it remained until it finally closed down. Postal deliveries were made by Mr Gibbs, the village postman, although he wore no uniform. The mail was brought up on foot from Bourton by the postman there, handed over to Mr Gibbs, who then walked round the village delivering it to the houses. Occasionally, he used his bicycle, but he preferred to walk. Post boxes were where they are now, and Mr Gibbs would empty them, passing the mail onto his Bourton Colleague. The Queen's Head In 1939, the Queen's Head in Coombe Street was the only public house in the village and was regarded as the "Village Pub". The landlord was Fred Padfield, whose wife ran the village shop next door. The Queen's Head was well patronised by solders and airmen, who would walk up from Stourton, Bourton and the airfield at Zeals. Saturday evening was a busy time and, in the summer, the green in front of the pub was crowded with servicemen sitting on the grass to drink their beer. On one occasion, David Niven brought his men up from Stourton for a farewell drink before moving on. The Hut Before the war, a former army hut was erected opposite the Manor Farm Barn on land provided by the then Rector, Newton Parson. This was the Village Hall, commonly referred to as "The Hut". During the war, this was used for "Sixpenny Hops" for the village and members of the forces who cane up from Bourton, Stourton and Zeals. Stan Trim remembered some Green Howards coming up. The searchlight detachment from Beech Lane had formed a dance band, and they would come up and play when they could get away. There were also whist-drives in the Hut from time to time. Lit by oil lamps, with people smoking and the windows blacked out, the atmosphere inside, when there was a dance, must have been pretty thick. Undertaker Wilfred Butt was the village undertaker and made the coffins Children from cities expected to be bombed were evacuated to the country at the beginning of the war. Many went back again after a few months when it seemed that the threatened bombing was not going to materialise, but most stayed. Later on, at the height of the Blitz, a second evacuation took place, many of the evacuees being mothers and children who had been bombed out. Pen Selwood had its share of evacuees, coming mainly from London and Southampton. They were billeted on families which had room to spare because sons and daughters had been called up or were away on war work. When they came home on leave, however, there was nowhere for them to sleep because the evacuees were in their beds. The Londoners took some time to get used to Somerset cooking, but became very fond of it in the end. Some of the evacuees' names are still remembered in the village: Kathleen, Silvia, Cyril and Philip Lawler, Doris Penny, Sammy Sheath and Ken and Raymond Littledale. Rationing In 1939, as in 1914, Germany sought to strangle our industrial effort and cut off our food supplies, by attacking our merchant ships with submarines and surface raiding forces. Our response was to form convoys protected by naval and air forces. The Battle of the Atlantic, fought to bring food and supplies to this country, was one of the critical campaigns of the war, the loss of which would have given Germany victory. Although large stocks of food and strategic raw materials had been built up before the war, shortages developed as imports fell, and industry concentrated on products essential for the war. Rationing was introduced gradually as shortages occurred. This not only ensured fair distribution, but also to prevented profiteering. The ration guaranteed supply. Some items were not rationed because it was not necessary, but others, such as bananas, were not rationed because supplies did not exist. Although the war ended in 1945, the devastation it had brought, particularly in the Far East, and drought in India, brought famine for which food, which would have come to the UK, had to be diverted. The war had left Britain very nearly bankrupt, and it suited the new government's book to keep rationing and devote resources to social restructuring. Rationing continued, therefore, for another nine years until 1954. Food Everyone, not in the forces, was issued with a ration book. Children had a special book. You registered at a shop for each of the basic items and could only get that item from that shop. Sausages were not rationed but were often scarce. Offal was generally un-rationed but was counted against the meat ration during periods of particular shortage. Children got half the meat ration. When pooled, the meat ration for four people for two weeks would give one leg and two breasts of lamb, perhaps a little mince or stewing beef and eight to 10 large slices of corned beef. Sometimes butchers were left with meat they could not sell, because the cut was either too expensive or too uneconomical, and they could then sell it 'of f-the- ration'. Vegetarians could exchange meat for cheese. From December 1944, those over 70 got extra tea. FOOD RATIONING BEGAN Jan ‘40: Bacon, Ham, Sugar, ButterMar ‘40: Meat. Jul ‘40: Margarine, Cooking Fat, Cheese Mar ‘41: Jam, Marmalade, Treacle, Syrup Jun '41: Eggs Nov ‘41: Milk Jul ‘42: Sweets (1946) Bread (1947-49) Meat ration reduced. FOOD RATIONING ENDED Jul ‘48: Bread.Dec ‘48: Jam, Marmalade, Treacle, Syrup Oct '52: Tea Feb '53: Sweets Mar '53: Eggs Apr '53: Cream available for the first time since Jan 1940 Sept '53: Sugar May '54: Butter, Margarine, Cooking Fat, Cheese Jun '54: Meat (rationing ends) RATIONS Weekly:Bacon or Ham 4oz (100g). Meat (value) 1s 2d (6p) (including 2d of corned beef). Butter 2oz (50g). Cheese 2oz (sometimes rising to 4 or 8oz). Margarine 4oz Cooking Fat 4oz but often only 2 oz Milk 3 pints (1.8 ltr) Sugar 8oz (225g) Eggs (small)1 (often dropping to one a fortnight) Every 4 weeks: Dried Egg 5oz( 12 eggs). Sweets 12oz (350g). Dried Milk 1 tin. Every 2 months 1 lb of jam, marmalade, treacle or syrup. Points. Other rationed food could be obtained on 'Points" for which a separate ration book was issued. Each person got 16 Points a month. These could be used at any shop and for any items available on Points. For example 16 points would get: 1 can of meat (eg SPAM) or fish (eg salmon), OR 2 lb of dried fruit, or 8 lb of pulse (split peas etc) Eating Out. Coupons were not required for food in restaurants. "British Restaurants" were opened to serve cheap, plain food and canteens in factories were compulsory. School meals were "off the ration". It was illegal to charge more than 5s 0d (25p) for a meal, although a "Cover Charge" was allowed (often more than the cost of the meal) where the standard of service could justify it. Rations for Gypsies. Gypsies did not have ration books or have to register with tradesmen, because they were always on the move. They were instead issued with monthly ration cards which could be used anywhere. At the end of the month, they could exchange the expired ration card for a new one at any food office. Sugar Ration for Bees. Bee keepers were allowed an extra sugar ration in winter for their bees, Extra Rations for Agricultural Workers. Farm workers, like those in heavy industry, were given an extra cheese rations. Farmers could also get an additional ration of tea and sugar at harvest time for everyone, including casual labour. Furniture Furniture rationing was introduced because of the shortage of timber and the use resources for war production. Shortages and rationing continued for several years after the war. 'Utility' furniture and household furnishings were produced to meet the bare essentials. People setting up house again after being bombed out and newly married couples had priority. Utility furniture was free of purchase tax with maximum prices set for new, second hand and hire-purchase goods. The setting up allowance was 60 units. As an example, this would get a newly married couple setting up in a house or apartment on their own, the following: Double bed 1 Wardrobe 1 Dressing chest 1 Sideboard 1 Dining table 1 Dining chairs 2 Kitchen table 1 Kitchen chairs 2 Kitchen cabinet Fender 1 If they did without the dining table and chairs, they could have a fireside chair and a set of shelves. They could also buy, at controlled prices, a utility mattress, three utility sheets, two "National" blankets, enough curtain material for one room and 20 square yards of floor covering (eg linoleum). Clothes The general reduction in imports and the diversion of resources to war production led to shortages of many things - including clothing. Clothes rationing was introduced after a time, and a range of "Utility Clothes" was produced. The ration was just adequate for the normal person. It did not allow for much change in fashion, as clothes had to last. Designers produced models using the minimum of cloth and hem-lines went as high as the times would tolerate. Strangely enough, men and boys stuck to their jackets and caps, and women wore suits much more than they do today. Supplementary coupons for industrial clothing were issued to those entitled to it, such as factory and agricultural workers. At the Westland aircraft factory at Yeovil, the concrete floor wore out shoes far more quickly than they could be replaced on the ration, so shop floor workers were issued with wooden-soled clogs. Service men and women did not get a ration of civilian clothes. When they were demobilised, they were given a set of clothing for the journey home - the "Demob Suit" - and a few clothing coupons to set themselves up in "Civvy Street". Petrol Petrol coupons, exchangeable at any garage, were issued. The initial petrol ration allowed private motorists four or five gallons a month, depending on the horsepower of the car. Those who needed transport for business purposes or for essential war work were given supplementary coupons, depending on how essential their work was considered. Farmers were allowed four or five gallons a month to go to market. The petrol had to be used for the purpose for which it was issued and the police rigidly enforced this by spot checks. There was very little tolerance given, but farmers were allowed to shop in the same town after they had been to market. Service men and women on leave could get a small ration, but few had cars. In 1940, the basic private motorist's ration was withdrawn altogether and many people laid-up their cars for the rest of the war. A small private motorist's ration of about 4 gallons a month was re-introduced in 1945, but rationing continued for a year or so after that. A black market in petrol developed and motorists tried running their cars on paraffin or Tractor Vaporising Oil (TVO) begged or borrowed from a farmer, which was illegal. To assist in the detection of the use of unauthorised fuel in cars, different coloured dyes were put in paraffin, TVO and the petrol used by the services. These stained carburettors and the police established random road blocks to check vehicles. Kerosene (Paraffin Oil) Electricity did not reach Pen Selwood until after the war. Until then, people relied on paraffin for lighting and, in some cases, for cooking. Paraffin was in short supply during the war and for a time after. A priority scheme ensured that those without electricity got a minimum monthly supply. A typical allocation was 15 gallons a month in the summer, rising to 19 gallons in December and January. Identity Cards National Registration was carried out during the period of crisis before the war (there was no National Insurance or other central register). Registration carried out by local authorities in conjunction with Air Raid Wardens, who were responsible for maintaining a roll of the occupants of each of the houses in their area. Identity cards and gas masks were issued at the same time. The system registration was extremely simple and effective. The registration number consisted of the initial letter of the town where it was issued, followed by those indicating the street or village. This was followed by the number of the house and that of individual as shown on the Warden's register. Cards were also colour coded. AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS Air Raid Precautions (APP) Act The ARP Act of 1937 set up the national ARP organisation. The Somerset plan was completed in June 1938. Wincanton was in No 6 (Yeovil) Area. The name ARP changed to Civil Defence (CD) in September 1941, when ,the full-time cadre and part-time volunteers merged into one, large and highly complex organisation. Pen Selwood's Air Raid Wardens No one quite remembers who the Pen Selwood Wardens were. The only name that sticks is that of Mrs Harfield, who lived in Coombe Street, next to the shop. There mey have been others, but she was the driving force and her house has been referred to as the "control centre'. Her duties would have included maintaining a roll of who lived in each house. At the start of the war, she would have supervised the issue of stirrup pumps and voluminous ARP literature to each household. She had 2 ARP Messengers, her own daughter and Phyllis Candy, both teenagers at the time. They not appear to have had to carry out their duties in earnest, but they did have one training day, when they were required to run around a course in Pen Pits without being seen by a group of observers. The Blackout Blackout was imposed throughout the UK from the start of the war. Blackout ended on 23rd April 1945. Buildings No light could be shown from a building after lighting-up tine. Police and wardens rigorously enforced the law. Black curtains or blinds were used on windows, and curtains or screens protected doors. Skylights and very large window areas were often permanently blacked out. Outdoors: Heavily shaded street lamps dimly lit a very small area of the ground beneath them. Lighting in bus and railway stations was minimal. Buses and trains were blacked Bicycles and motor vehicles: Bicycle lamps were covered with tissue paper and the aperture reduced to 2 inches. Motor vehicle headlights were either fitted with an approved mask, or had the top half of the glass obscured and the bottom half of the reflector painted black. Bicycle lamps lit the road to 6 feet ahead, vehicle lamps to 20 feet. Bumpers, wings, kerbstones in towns and the bottoms of lamp posts were painted white. Fire Fighting Incendiary Bombs: The German incendiary bomb was a magnesium alloy tube, about 18 inches long and 2 inches diameter, with a fin at one end. It was drilled out in the centre and filled with a slow burning charge that detonated on impact and generated enough heat to ignite the magnesium alloy after about 45 seconds. The bomb, therefore, fizzed and smoked to start with, but once the case was alight, it burned with an intense heat, giving out showers of incandescent particles as it burned. A bomber could drop these by the hundred. Later, a canister was developed, which exploded in mid air and showered incendiary bombs in all directions. Incendiary bombs were responsible for much of the extensive damage in the large raids on cities, where fires got out of control and developed into 'Fire Storms". The heat became so intense that whole streets burst into flame spontaneously. If dealt with before the magnesium ignited, the burning charge could often be extinguished by immersing the bomb in water, or the bomb could be put in a safe place, or the effect of the burning magnesium could be reduced by smothering it in sand. They were dropped in such numbers, however, that it was impossible to deal with them all and fires would get out of hand. Household Fire Appliances Every househol.d was issued with a stirrup pump which, together with a bucket of water and a container of sand, was to be used to tackle incendiary bombs. Air Wardens gave instruction in fire fighting and periodically checked the appliance Firewatching and Fire Guards: So effective were the German incendiary raids that, in 1942, fire watching became compulsory. All businesses and factories were required to appoint Fire Guards, who would remain at the building all night, usually on the roof, to deal with and give warning of fires and incendiary bombs. This also applied to blocks of flats. Houses in towns were grouped, usually by streets. Participation in the scheme was compulsory for anyone not otherwise involved in another organisation, such as Defence or the Home Guard. Gas Until the very end, there was a constant fear that Hitler might launch gas attacks on this country. It was probably the fear of getting back more than he gave that prevented him. Gas masks were issued to civilians before the war. Babies issued with something akin to a badly fitting space-suit and helmet, from which gas was excluded by air pressure pumped manually into the suit through a filter. Civil Defence workers had a rather more robust version of the civilian gas mask and police and Home Guard were issued with obsolete pattern military gas masks, which members of the services still had at the end of the war. Later on, some Home Guard were given the new gas masks. Wardens had rattles, the universal warning of attack. (Taken from Pen Selwood remembers V E Day + 50) |
