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Plane Crash (1942-1942)

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:07:22 +0100

Extract from SMOKE magazine issued September 1942

We Are Proud To Be Their Comrades

You would not have noticed anything special about them. Just Officers and men going about their duties the same as everyone else. But when the opportunity arose, they proved themselves – showed themselves to be possessed of those qualities of bravery and initiative that must be the very stuff and fibre of our army.

Some months ago an RAF plane crashed in a field close to the Smoke School and immediately burst into flames. Without hesitation a party our men forced their way through the flames and worked like men inspired until all the crew had been extricated. In the words of the Officer Commanding the RAF Station concerned: ‘... they paid no thought to their own danger in going near to the burning wreckage and wasted no time at all so that I think it is fair to say that the six survivors owe their lives almost entirely to the very fine rescue work carried out by your unit.’

On 11^th August, the District Commander visited the School and read the following letter from HQ Western Command:

I am directed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief to inform you that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the publication of the names of the under mentioned as having been commended for brave conduct:-

Capt A K Griffith

Capt H Wood

Sgt D C Parry

Sgt W Ormerod

Pte T Frayne

Pte H M Nightingale

Pte T Perkins

Pte J H Silk

All of us are proud to be associated with such men. Their initiative and their gallantry are typical of our people. Their deeds will inspire us all and when the call comes for the millions of our people to go into action, with such men in our ranks we shall not be found wanting.

The image is of the commendation received by Sgt W Ormerod and was kindly given by his daughters.

Stained Glass Windows (1920-1929)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:21:37 +0100

The stained glass windows were removed and sold by 2nd Lord Manton in the 1920s. These photographsshow some of the stained glass which is now housed at The Burrell Collection in Glasgow.

Ready for a Swim (1932-1939)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:20:12 +0100

This shows Rosemary Lamb aged about 8 with her dog Towser. In her memoirs Rosemary recalls swimming in the lake.

Amazing to think now how often I swam in the lake at Compton. The English climate is not exactly tempting enough for outdoor swimming and the lake water was cold and dark green. However, it was enough for the sun to shine in summer for me to be getting out my bathing suit and go running down to the jetty. A large raft had been made by the resourceful Fell with two diving boards on it. It was anchored in the middle of the lake between the bridge and the boathouse. The high diving board had to be reached by a flight of steps which waved wildly as one climbed them. It was really quite high, almost three metres. Once on the platform, one had to wait for the swaying to subside before one hurled oneself head first into the olive-green waters. No one had ever touched the bottom. It was supposed to be extremely deep.