P
leased to
report
that
we have heard from Bill Pizey
that h
e is doing well
having just returned from a trip to Australia to visit his brother John.
Unfortunately, John (also an OB) has just undergone a serious bowel
operation. Bill says he will keep us posted.
Updates to the website include some Camp photos from the 1970s and a
link to a BB Centenary Royal Review Programme from 1983 which was
kindly supplied by Neil Pheasant - Man U fans will be interested in this!
That’s alI think, but if you have not already done so, please put the 2014
Reunion date of Saturday 11
th
October in your paper or electronic
reminder system! Details of the event are on the back page, look forward
to seeing many of you there…
Dave
120
2 Chris#
Newsletter of Old Boy
s & Friends of 70
th
London BB Company
REFLECTIONS
Edition
11
April 2014
In this Edition
In this EditionIn this Edition
In this Edition
…
……
…
It was
so
sad to hear of Jack Ma
yhew’s passing in January at the age of 97, one felt he would go on
for ever... Jack came through the ranks of the 70
th
, and returned, as an officer just before the war,
at a very difficult time for the Company. Like many of us, I only knew Jack through his attendance
at Reunions, when he was always interested in BB matters, and from his interview for ‘A Positive
Contribution’. Thus it was revealing to hear at his Memorial Service of his many non-BB related
achievements, and the piece on his life in this edition highlights some of these.
Also in this issue are some reminiscences from Les Wright on his time in the 70
th
and some archive
pictures from the 1990’s need names…can you help?.
Paradoxically, while not having many shorter articles to publish in full, Bob Verills has contributed
a long and interesting account of his time spent in the Royal Navy and the Police. After consulting
with Alan we have decided to create a section on the website, under ‘Reflections’, for Bob’s words,
and for other future sizable articles. However as taster for ‘Bob’s Story’
we include a couple of extracts in this edition.
Late notic
e
…
A lunch is planned for Monday 28th April from noon at:
The Victory Inn, Staplefield, West Sussex, RH17 6EU
Contact Dave if you think you can make it…
Much like that of Owen Clark, Jack’s
life was
one of service to others. The extracts below
are from ‘A Positive Contribution’ and from
Jack’s Memorial Service. With thanks to Jack’s
children Christopher, Francis and Pauline and
to Chris Buss.
------
Jack was born in Battersea, London and was
a pupil of Wandsworth Boys Grammar School
where he attained recognition academically
and as a sportsman.
As a young boy he joined the Boys' Brigade and
this connection went on to become a lifetime
commitment and passion.
(unfortunately there is nothing in the archives
that chart Jack’s progress through the ranks of
the 70
th
)
Jack's own words on becoming an Officer in
the 70th…
"When I reached the age limit (1934) the
70th London Boys Brigade Company didn't need
staff but the new 2nd St Helier did. This
venture taught me a lot about boys and life,
something that was to serve me in good stead.
I was approached to rejoin the 70th in 1938 as
part of a new officer team in charge of a group
of boys well trained in BB tradition, most
knowing more than the officers about the BB”.
(on the retirement of William Cotsell, the
founder of the 70
th
, the three other serving
officers also retired)
The new officer team were committed and
wanting to learn and serve, they bought many
talents and gifts to the task. The senior boys
were a devoted group and were to prove to be
the backbone of the company, especially for
REFLECTIONS
Page 2
Jack
1916
-
2014
A long life, well spent
A long life, well spent A long life, well spent
A long life, well spent -
--
- Jack Mayhew
Jack Mayhew Jack Mayhew
Jack Mayhew
it's future when war caused the officers to be
scattered afar. At the same time as I returned
to the 70th, I was asked to form a Life Boy
team (the Junior Section). We visited local
schools and in a few weeks we had a
membership of some twenty-five boys."
In 1941 Jack left the 70th to "do agricultural
work in Hampshire”. (he was a conscientious
objector) and in 1942 he formed the 1st
Farnham BB Company which, for some
considerable time afterwards, had strong links
with the 70
th
.
------
During the committal at the Crematorium
before Jack’s Memorial Service a bugler played
The Last Post…
The Memorial Service itself was a celebration
of Jack’s life and a thanksgiving for his service
to others. The large Church was full and the
atmosphere a joyous one. Following the
eulogies, the ‘reflection’ on Jack’s life of
action was suitably stirring and his requested
hymns were rendered with spirit. Surprisingly
he did not include ‘Will Your Anchor Hold’
amongst these, but as his son Chris related
afterwards - “he must have known we would
sing it…” So we did, and with ex. BB’ers
present and a Methodist congregation the roof
was duly raised…
Jack Mayhew
Jack Mayhew Jack Mayhew
Jack Mayhew
continued
continuedcontinued
continued
…
……
…
REFLECTIONS
Jack’s non-BB life…
When he was about nineteen Jack went to
Brixton juvenile court to speak for one of his
BB boys. He saw all that was going on and was
convinced that people who had offended
probably needed more help than those who
had not. Having started work as a trainee
accountant, this court experience seemingly
keyed him into social work, first as a Youth
Employment officer in Farnham and then for
21 years as a Probation Officer.
A man of absolute integrity and dedication,
one of the first things Jack did upon his
retirement was to journey to Kent to say
goodbye to a ‘client’ serving a prison
sentence; a few days later he was at
Silverstone with the boys of the Kart club he
founded some years previously.
Jack's retirement was never going to be one of
leisure… He was vice chairman of Ash Vale
Citizens Advice Bureau which he had helped
found and continued working for solicitors and
the County Probation Office up to the age of
75. Then he became a silver surfer, helping to
set up a website for the elderly to keep them
updated re. local activities.
(He was also a trustee of the ‘Dempster Trust’
which ‘financially assists persons resident in
Farnham who are in conditions of need,
hardship or distress’)
Jack was the most patient and unselfish of
men, he touched the lives of so many people
young and old alike. His friends, who were
many, welcomed Jack just about anywhere,
anytime.
Lance Corporal Jack
Page 3
My first encounter with a uniformed organisation
was when at the age of 9 (1935) I joined the 1
st
Mitcham Wolf Cub Pack. We met in the parish
rooms at Mitcham Cricket Green close to the fire
station. I enjoyed the programme, when. each
week progress would be made in earning the silver
star that was to be placed in one’s hat signifying
you had at least one eye open! Progress the next
year was to earn the second star. Most of the tests
were easy except the skipping test – going forward
was no problem but then going back 30 consecutive
times was another matter. Who ever heard of boys
skipping anyway? But eventually I did manage it.
By now I was a Sixer being in charge of a group of
younger boys and it wasn’t long before I was the
Chief Sixer – the one who jumps up from the circle
and calls out DYB, DYB, DYB (
Do your best), the rest
of the pack replied DOB, DOB, DOB (We’ll do our
best).
Time came to become a Scout, I continued helping
the Cubs, being designated Mowgli (a character
from ‘Jungle Book’).
My first aim in the Scouts was to become a
‘Tenderfoot’, b
ut all the troop wanted to do was to
play robust games which was not to my liking.
Tom Godfrey lived near me in Turner Avenue and
he was constantly suggesting that I joined the BB.
So one September Friday evening along with my
friend Ken Marsh, we set off on our bikes for
Longley Road only to find that the halls had been
commandeered by the Army! We eventually found
the 70
th
crammed into the Church Parlour. My first
drill movement was to ‘fall in’. Number 1 was in
the Parlour but gradually the line meandered along
the corridor at the back of the church where I
might have been heard calling out 30 (or
something). Fortunately the halls were soon handed
back to the church and the Friday evening parade
formed up in the hall which is now the church.
I recall thinking how smart all the boys looked
especially the two Sergeants Reg Warby and Doug
Cole (both these young men were killed in action).
Other NCO’s I remember were Cpls Ferriman and
Bowbeer (who was my first squad leader). I worked
hard for my squad. I believe that I had six years
perfect attendance at Bible Class and I still have all
Les Wright
Les Wright Les Wright
Les Wright -
--
-
Growing up in the
Growing up in the Growing up in the
Growing up in the 70th
70th70th
70th…
……
…
my badges awarded during my time in the 70
th
.
My memory of my first display brings to mind Ted
Stevens. He was tall and very smart. A regular item
in the display each year was the ‘Best Drilled
Private Competition’ and Ted won the medal. You
can guess what my goal for the next display was –
to be the last man standing (it was a knock-out
competition in those days). Come the day, there
were just two of us left, myself and Jack Lemon,
and I can still remember the thrill when I was
announced the winner.
In the road where I lived there were a lot of boys of
BB age so after Ken and I joined we recruited Fred
Stiles, John Steptoe, John Kensitt, Ray Holder and
his elder brother, Les Mayo, the Newland twins, Ian
Pain and Jack Lemon. Just around the corner was
Hawkes Road, the home of Roly & Ivy Clark.
My first officers were Bert Porter, Chris Nott, Jack
Mayhew and Roly Clark. Percy Sore was S/Sgt. BB
was great for me, not only Friday and Sunday. We
met Mondays for First Aid, Tuesdays PT & Gym and
most Saturdays there were football matches.
I was evacuated to Oxted in the later part of 1940.
So every Friday afternoon after school I cycled the
18 miles home so that I could attend Drill Parade.
On Sunday afternoon, after morning Bible Class, I
would then cycle back to Oxted. Around this time I
managed to persuade Peter Knights to join the 70
th
,
he was reluctant at first, but when he found out he
could play football each week he soon changed his
mind.
Page 4
REFLECTIONS
As the war progressed the officers and senior boys
were called for military service until only Roly Clark
and Percy Sore remained. Roly then had an
accident at work and Percy Sore, now in the Fire
Service, was transferred to South Wales. This was
when the local Police came in useful; Ron Webb’s
father, based at Tooting Police Station, stepped in
as Acting Captain and a Mr Plummer became our
First Aid Instructor. At this time we had a fife and
bugle band which had been started by Percy Sore –
the problem of losing Percy was solved when a Mr
Ede arrived to take over the fife section. Peter
Knights was solo drummer and I was solo bugler.
I’m getting a bit ahead of myself now. Numbers had
fallen so that just before the new session started
we were down to just 9 boys. Then a miracle! One
Friday evening when we turned up at the halls we
found 30 or more boys running around, where they
came from I am not sure but a good number
decided to join, some of them come to mind - Len
Stacey, Reg Lansdale, Wally Pook and Doug
Strachan.
So, being numerically strong again, Mr Plummer
entered us for the All London First Aid Competition
(our first time). Everything went well until we had
to drill with a folding stretcher which we weren’t
expecting, so hadn’t a clue but still came third!
Afterwards we practiced stretcher drill but were
never called upon to show our expertise.
Having no trained officers to take drill, PT etc, it
became the responsibility of the NCO’s to become
instructors. I took over drill with Peter Knights
taking charge of PT, ground work and mat, and I
helped out with vaulting and parallel bars. We must
have made a good team because we won the
Battalion Barnsley Colour Competition, comprising
Attendance, Drill and PT. In those days PT was a
series of movements to the count of eight actions
being set to music. Drill used to be drilling in two
sections of two ranks, part of which on word of
command required four ranks to be formed and
then back into two ranks – not easy and required a
fair amount of practice. A sad day when it was
changed to three ranks.
One of the highlights of my time in the BB was in
1943 when as a sergeant, peaked cap, leather
shoulder belt, haversack, belt etc, I was selected to
present myself smartly turned out at Waterloo
Station early afternoon one Saturday in May. We
were formed up in three large companies and told
we were going to Windsor Castle to be inspected by
King George VI. I well remember marching up the
hill to the castle being constantly reminded by the
guards sergeant for looking inwards as we wheeled
around the corners. I did it the BB way.
The army got its own back – I was called to the
colours in December 1944!
There are other memories that have stayed with me
from those days…
• Like the way we used to play Percy Sore up on a
Friday – going up into the rafters and ignoring all
calls to come down.
• The time our cricket team were bowled out for
seven runs, of which I scored four off the only
time I hit the ball in my innings.
• Rescuing the Company trophies when the halls
were bombed when I was walking home from
Balham.
• Climbing over the Chalet wall opposite Figges
Marsh with Ivy Clark to take a short cut through
the allotments.
I have much to thank the BB for, most of all the
Christian instruction at Bible Class from Daddy
Nichols and from the Rev Andrew Wright, the
minister of the church. I was baptised on 28
th
June
1943 and became a church member on 5
th
July.
Next edition - my years as an officer…
Les Wright
Peter Knight
s
and Les
REFLECTIONS
Page 5
Les Wright
Les WrightLes Wright
Les Wright
continued
continuedcontinued
continued
…
……
…
Can you name names?
Can you name names?Can you name names?
Can you name names?
It is 16 years or over since these were pictures taken. It would be great to hear from
anyone who can name names…and to find out what the ‘boys’ are doing now. Please
let us know!
REFLECTIONS
Page 6
Juniors
1998
Royal
Review
1994
As a ‘taster’
here are a couple of extracts from Bob
Verills’ account of his time in the Royal Navy and the Police Force.
Full versions will appear in the ‘Reflections’ section of the web site
and are well worth a read.
In the Navy…
…After leave (having spent 18ms at sea), I joined the Navy test
squadron at Boscombe Down on the A303 near Stonehenge. After
some months I was sent to Yeovilton, again on the A303 where I
was Leading Hand in charge of the fire station and where my
brother Alan joined The Navy - just for the day...
So here we go with the tale of the reluctant matelot…
REFLECTIONS
Page
7
“What I did next…”
“What I did next…” “What I did next…”
“What I did next…” -
--
- Bob Verills…
Bob Verills… Bob Verills…
Bob Verills…
It was ‘Air Day’ at Yeovilton, my wife and children together with Alan’s wife travelled up from Devon.
Alan travelled to the Air base from London arriving long before the proceeding began. He wanted to
know where he could get something to eat, I suggested that he eat with my crew on the base, which
entailed him wearing overalls etc. to fit in with the rest of the crew; we were duty fire crew. We all
travelled together on a six wheeled all terrain dual purpose fire engine, to the dining hall. At one end
of the dining hall near the door the duty fire crew had their own reserved table with a red emergency
telephone thereon. We had just sat down to breakfast when - guess what – you’ve got it; we were
called out to a fire. Alan - ” what do I do? ” Bob - “come with us and hang on tight”. With that we all
ran hell for leather from the dining hall. Now it would be true to say that any emergency call gets the
adrenalin flowing but I would take a small wager that Alan’s adrenalin was a lot higher than ours. We
were called off en-route to the cal
l. Later in the day when Alan’s wife saw him, overall’d, with the fire
crew she must have thought that the days of the press gang had returned!
In the Police…
I joined The Metropolitan Police on 28
th
December 1966 and after training at Peel House, Regency
Street I was sent to Tooting Police Station where for the first two weeks I was under the wing of an
experienced officer who just happened to be a heavy weight wrestler.
These were the days of police boxes. We got there before Doctor Who. There were ver
y few police cars
and no radios. I, like all new recruits, had to spend the first two years walking the beat….
...
It was late morning. We were in two plain cars and cruising along Roehampton Lane, the car in front
of us looked dodgy, we decided to pull i
t over. As we started to move it speeded up; so did we, down a
side street, the chase was on, into the Bank of England sports ground and onto the set of ‘The
Sweeny’…
POST SCRIPT
POST SCRIPTPOST SCRIPT
POST SCRIPT
: We welcome all comments and suggestions on
Reflections
Please contact either Alan Rance:
alan.rance@virginmedia.com
01491 839164
or Dave Richardson:
davri22@gmail.com:
01323 483066
www.70thlondonoldboys.org.uk
Reunion 2014
Reunion 2014Reunion 2014
Reunion 2014…
……
…
Another occasion not to be missed! Our Reunions only take place every 2 years, so if you
miss this one… All OB’s, ex. GLB’ers and their families and friends are cordially invited.
Date: Saturday 11th October 2014
Location: the Church Halls, Tooting Junction Baptist Church, Longley Rd.
Time: 2.00pm ‘til 5.00pm
Programme: largely informal with ample time to mix and chat. There will also
again be the opportunity to join in singing some favourite BB and
other rousing Hymns.
As always, please bring along any Company photos and artefacts that
you possess to help stir the memory…
Refreshments: drinks and biscuits on arrival with homemade cakes later…
Car Parking: there is very limited car parking at the Church. Roadside parking is
available, but you will need to pay and display
No expense spared, but no charge! Although we hope you will make a donation to help
cover running expenses.
Not essential, but to help with the catering arrangements, please let Dave know if you will
possibly be coming and how many others you may be bringing. Thank you.
Hope to see you there…
REFLECTIONS
Page
8
