Evacuation to Ilfracombe 1940-1943
Contents
Introduction
First Billet
Accommodation
School
Henry Gets Fit Escaping Sport
David Enjoys Sport and Socials
Activities
Stamps and Match Box Tops
Lizards, Slow worms and Caterpillars
Air Training Corps
Newspaper War Photographs
Wartime
Food, Shortages and Rationing
Health
Dentistry
Introduction
Henry was evacuated from London to Ilfracombe in North Devon in mid-June 1940 with his school, Rutlish School in Merton. He returned to London in late 1943.
For most of this time Henry lived in accommodation with his mother Evelyn and younger brother David, who was nine at the time of evacuation. Evelyn was determined to keep Henry and David as safe as possible:
Many evacuees here are very fed up, but I never meant my boys to be in a raid if I could help it, so can stick much.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1940
Sometimes I wish we were at Woking, wouldn’t be quite so far away, do not want to stay here for ever and ever however I’m thankful the boys are safe and well.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, March 1942
Henry’s father Philip remained in London where he continued to teach woodwork at Alleyn’s School in Dulwich. Although the Alleyn’s School boys had been evacuated, the school buildings were used to house the South London Emergency Secondary School for Boys. This was for children from other schools who had not been evacuated. Philip was also a firewatcher at the school.
Always think about you when I go to bed, and wonder if you are in bed, or doing your fire watching.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, March 1942
Luckily Henry wrote down several memories from his time in Ilfracombe. We have many letters from Evelyn to Philip from this period and a few from the boys to Philip. Unfortunately no letters from Philip survive.
First Billet
I was one of the evacuees from the Rutlish School, Merton. Only about thirty boys left London during this second school evacuation. For the first, in September 1939 there were many more, when we went the short distance to Woking in Surrey. All of us had returned from Woking to London by New Year 1940.
We left London for Ilfracombe in mid-June and had one master with us, Mr Holmes, who taught geography. I was billeted on Mrs Hurst at 30 St Brannocks Road, together with three other Rutlish boys, two girls, two very young boys and Mr Holmes himself. An enormous invasion for a lady who made her living from tourists. The girls and Mr Holmes did not stay long but we stayed for some time. We four Rutlish boys, Prior, Burgess, Howie and me, slept in one room. We younger ones learned the Facts of Life from Howie, who at fourteen was an Authority – I was twelve.
Some time later I remember there was a blockage of a sewage pipe under the front basement room and some nasties floated there in consequence. I tried on my gas mask – and found that it did work!
Mr Holmes (Clo or Cloey was his nickname – I never discovered why) was very good to us, settling us in. He took parties of us for walks, paid for (iced) drinks on the way, and treated us to the pictures to see Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase.
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
Accommodation
Evelyn and David moved to Ilfracombe to be with Henry. It was difficult to find accommodation. In December 1940 Evelyn writes:
It’s almost impossible for me to get other accommodation, I knocked on dozens of doors, and Miss Stacy and Miss St John (pronounced Sinjun) only took us because they thought it their duty to do so.
However, Miss Stacy and Miss St John were kind:
Miss Stacy seems to like them [Henry and David] very well, she has just knitted them some gloves.
Miss Stacy has taught Tim [Henry] to play patience, she has also lent David a solitaire board, it’s something for them to do as they cannot be out all day in this windy weather.
It was cold and the gas was unreliable. From January and February 1941:
We can only get one kind of coal, a real smoky kind.
I have a few chilblains (and a sty or cold in my eye, which does not enhance my beauty).
I’ve just had a dose of rheumatism, suppose because my feet were so cold, had some real itchy chilblains, however the troubles are temporary, and the sty is better.
The gas is so bad at times it’s a job to cook the dinner.
Shall buy David some trousers, to see if I can keep his feet and legs a bit warmer.
David will be going into trousers next week, they wanted 19/6 for them, I tried every shop here, all very expensive, at last I managed to get a pair old stock.
David is all merry and bright, he wore his trousers 1 1/2 days (looked very nice in them) then said he liked knickers better, too much bother changing for football and gym, so I had to get him some new knickers, the little rascal also I think some of the boys said he was too small for trousers.
David had gym this afternoon, he enjoys it, and it warms him up a bit.
In May 1941 Evelyn, Henry and David moved to different accommodation in St Brannocks Park Road with a Miss Smith:
The house we are in is a very nice one, very spic and span (oh dear).
In late 1942 the family moved to 38, St Brannocks Rd. There is no documentation detailing this accommodation.
School
While he was in Ilfracombe, Henry attended Ilfracombe Grammar School.
One of our first periods in school was a ‘prep’ run by Miss Pelling, the girls’ gym mistress, who was quite severe. It was in the chemistry lab and in those days each place had a double shelf of about 20 bottles of chemicals. The first three of these were concentrated sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids, then came three bottles of these acids diluted. Then ammonium sulphide solution (said to be very smelly and ideal for making stink bombs (though found disappointing in these respects)), ammonium hydroxide and a row of other chemical solutions. My neighbour (named Jones, I believe) poured a little of one of these into the adjoining sink, having carefully and quietly lifted the cover, and probably intended to add another to see what would happen, when dense fumes arose. He replaced the cover, but the fumes found their way out through the finger-holes in the cover. They were noticed by Miss Pelling, who very nearly sent him to Sam Tatton [the headmaster] for caning on his first day in school.
Caning was the order of the day. I quote from a later letter home that “two boys got the cane today 5 strokes (behind) 1 stroke (on each hand)”. My friend Harlow was caned for moving over a table rather than round it – his shoes marked the surface of the table which was new. One morning Mr Evans (woodwork) came into his workshop a little late, having left his newspaper on his desk. Whilst we were waiting Ian Milton had spotted the paper and started to read it, standing leaning on Mr Evans’ desk with his legs crossed in a thoroughly relaxed manner. Such was judged Impertinent by Mr Evans and Milton was walloped on his seat with a piece of wood.
Dicky Britton lived at Loxhore. He always came to school in his motor car, passing us in Highfield Road in a somewhat battered ancient tourer, open in most weathers, and I suppose this explains how he got the petrol – he would have had no other means of getting to school. Dicky Britton taught French, but in the ‘prep’ periods which he took he often used to give the class a little mathematical puzzle to solve – how much water could flow in how long from a pipe of such and such a diameter….
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
Henry’s School Reports
Henry did well at school, making “very good” progress with “excellent” conduct. In a letter to Philip in December 1941, Evelyn writes:
Tim [Henry] also gets on very well in his new form, one week he was 2nd in form the next week 1st, there are about 40 in form.
Click on the reports below to enlarge.
Homework
They [Henry and David] both do a fair bit of homework, a good thing, it helps to keep them quiet, they are everlasting scuffling and pushing each other about, nearly sends me silly at times.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1941
Henry Gets Fit Escaping Sport
Henry always told us he “got fit escaping sport”.
I never liked sport. Somehow my name did not get on to the list of those who should appear on the rugby field (Killacleave). There was some distance between the school and Killacleave and I took care never to reach it on the appropriate afternoons. In consequence I played neither rugby or cricket on Killacleave in all my 3½ years at the School. I never regretted it.
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
Henry may have escaped rugby and cricket, but he did do gym and a photograph exists of him standing at the top of a pyramid of other boys.
I enclose a snap of Tim [Henry], it’s not very clear, one of the masters took it at PT, Tim is the boy standing.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, July 1941
David Enjoys Sport and Socials
Henry’s younger brother David comes across as a cheery soul, enjoying sport and socials at his school, Adelaide College.
There is a party at David’s school tomorrow, he rather wants to go, so now have to buy him some shoes for the evening.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1940
David played his football match yesterday, and his side won. Their opponents came from a Wimbledon school.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, February 1941
David rarely in from school until 5:30 playing cricket may soon go in for tennis.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, May 1941
I’ve just bought David some white shorts and pull over, all boys playing tennis have to wear white, the weather hasn’t been good enough for him to play as yet, but he is looking forward to playing, thought he seemed rather pleased with his white rig out, very difficult to get the shorts, bought some at least 3 sizes too large, (old stock) and cut them to fit, have also bought him a light raquet. I told him at first I really couldn’t afford outfit but thought it over, thought perhaps it might help him to be less clumsy.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1941
Wednesday they had their school sports, David was in a running race and high jump. He quite enjoyed himself although he wasn’t a winner.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, July 1941
David is very glad it’s football season and generally manages to enjoy himself.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, October 1941
I enclose an account of the prizegiving you will see David won a prize, he seems to be getting on very well they are having a party at his school tomorrow evening, he is looking forward to going.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1941
David has gone to a little social at his school to night, he quite enjoys himself at these little affairs, cheerfully smartens himself up, and puts on a white shirt, Tim [Henry] isn’t nearly as concerned about his personal appearance.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, March 1942
David had sports day on Monday, but sports are not his strong point although he enjoys the games, he has to stand on his head in gym, he seems to like it alright, much better than I should.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1942
David has just gone off to his Xmas school party, he seemed very pleased to go, think they give them rather a good time.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1942
David has a sports day next week suppose I will have to turn up.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1942
Tim [Henry] can swim but David needs another lesson or two, and think he wears himself out with his swimming cricket etc., but how he likes it.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1943
Activities
I never remember being oppressed by homework at School – perhaps one hour maximum. School was what one did during the day, one’s normal occupation and was usually interesting. I never thought of the future, or jobs – my horizon was the ending of the war, which of course we should win, and return to London, which I did at Christmas 1943.
Life was lived for the present. There was the countryside to explore, the Ilfracombe Field Club (Mr Stroud [chemistry master] once talking to a Club meeting on “Temperature”), books to read from the town library, and the Museum.
I was interested in the natural world and although boys did not do biology, Ian Milton [friend] and myself used to help in the Museum. Mervyn Palmer, the Curator and Librarian encouraged us and we restored the aquarium, refilling the tanks with sea creatures (sea-pools being only 100 yards away) and reviving the ancient aeration system. In summer we found wild flowers and set them out with their names for visitors in a miscellany of pots and vases.
One sight always worth seeing was the cooling of coke at the gasworks. There was a low wall between the Hele Road and the gasworks giving a good view into the works and at certain times red-hot coke would be transferred from the retorts to a large iron basket mounted on wheels. This handcart was wheeled out and positioned under a row of water pipes. When these were turned on dense white cloud formed and arose above the surrounding land.
The harbour too was always of interest. At low tide the way down was by rickety and corroded iron ladders. In places the corrosion was such as to leave a thin connection between base and ladder which when broken appeared as two sharp spikes. In a letter home I drew the propeller of a ship with several holes in the bottom which was beached in the inner harbour in 1940 – it was minus one blade and with other blades badly chipped.
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
From Evelyn’s letters:
I took the boys to Woolacombe sands, they did enjoy themselves racing over the beach in their bathing costumes.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, August 1940
Am afraid they (the boys) are not very good at letter writing, but you know they always seem to be busy, or else deep in a book, and then cannot get a word out of them.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1942
I thought the chess board was very nicely made, did it take you long to do it, I did manage to win one game last week, really ought to have won two, but at the last Tim [Henry] was able to wangle a stalemate.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1943
I expect Tim [Henry] told you he went to a dance on Friday, he did enjoy himself, he told me his girl was a platinum blonde. He seemed to like her very much, has seen her home several times since.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1943
Stamps and Match Box Tops
During 1941 Henry and David enthusiastically collected stamps and match box tops.
PS: Don’t forget to send some stamps as soon as possible.
Henry, letter to Philip, January 1941
The boys were pleased with their parcel which arrived yesterday, the magnifying glass came in very handy for examining the stamps.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, January 1941
Thanks for sending the stamps and the match box tops. The total amount of stamps on November 15 1940 was 393. Jan 18 1941 440. It is about 448 now including one or two Miss Stacy gave us and three or four in the other album. Match box tops number 21 (It is our collection (David and me) not mine only). Those two collections are very important.
Henry, letter to Philip, January 1941
The match box top collection is going fine. I bough some with a bridge on MADE IN CHINA. Quite unusual. Send as many foreign stamps as possible. I swapped some the other day and got three of King Carol (Rumania). I saw one of the stamps that you sent (Southern Rhodesia) in a shop priced 1/6. Of course it was without postmark.
Henry, letter to Philip, February 1941
I think Tim is happier now that he is in a new form, he has another chum, one interested in stamps, and they both went to a lecture on same last week and quite enjoyed it. I am afraid I cannot get a thrill out of stamps.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, October 1941
Lizards, Slow worms and Caterpillars
During 1942 and 1943, Henry and David’s collecting instincts turned to lizards, slow worms and caterpillars.
When we were evacuated to Ilfracombe and stayed at Miss Smith’s I used to keep lizards and slow worms. These were quite common in the countryside. Dad made a special box perhaps 18” long, 12” deep (from front to back), 8” high at the back and 6” at the front with a sloping lid with glass panels.
The lizards were fed with live flies caught in the hand and transferred to match boxes. I got quite good at sweeping my hand over the top of a gate on which flies were sitting and collecting 2 or 3 each swipe. Transfer to the match box was the difficult part. The lizards were fed by hand. Slow worms were given small black slugs.
My first lizard ‘Lizzie’ lived a summer through but did not survive the winter. She gave birth to several little black youngsters. The slow worms were named (by Dad) Bagshaggles and Correosbustus, the first was medium brown and the second copper-brown. Beautiful silver young were produced by Bagshaggles. She survived one winter.
The lizards were sometimes let out and climbed the curtains. Once Bagshaggles was let escape and was found in the entrance hall at Miss Smith’s. Dad discovered her there and warned me in time.
Caterpillars were also kept. The first were small tortoiseshell and I made a container out of a ‘Glucodin’ ‘tin’ with cardboard sides one of which I cut to put in a panel of cellophane. The first lot did not form chrysalids but a great mystery happened: a lot of tiny cocoons appeared on dead caterpillars out of which small flies eventually emerged. These were ichneumon flies.
I followed a number of species through from caterpillar to adult moth, including elephant hawk moths, privet hawks, eyed hawks, garden tiger, cream-spot tiger, burnet moth, oak eggar, cinnabar, lackey, buff tip and underwings. I always let the adults go.
The greatest prize was a solitary puss moth caterpillar, captured sitting on a leaf ready to pupate.
Dad made me five cages of which two survive. Each had a zinc tray inside which was filled with earth to allow some of the caterpillar species to pupate. Ink bottles with holes bored in the lids were used to keep the food plants alive.
I had the Observers Book of Butterflies quite early on. A tremendous present from Dad was the two volumes of Richard South’s Moths of the British Isles, which I received on 6 July 1943.
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
Evelyn was not so keen on the creatures:
At present he [Henry] is very much interested in three little lizards he is keeping as pets, do you remember how he liked the reptile house at the zoo.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, March 1942
He [Henry] managed to get another lizard, which pleased him very much.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, April 1942
We have an extra lizard or so, also a few caterpillars, so fly catching and slug hunting still in vogue.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, April 1942
I am getting much better at fly-catching. The other night Tim [Henry] and me caught 18 and 16 were eaten.
David, letter to Philip, April 1942
I think you hear all the news about the lizards how the boys do like to see them eat flies etc, what a taste, am afraid it doesn’t appeal to me.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1942
We had a very pretty Garden Tiger moth just lately and it layed down some eggs. We also had some six-spot Burnet moths and we have got some more chrysalids of the same type.
David, letter to Philip, July 1942
How old is the little boy he has adopted, would rather like an adopted daughter after the war, perhaps you wouldn’t care about one. I’m sure the boys would like a little sister, should think one would be more interesting than slow-worms and lizards, I really cannot get up much enthusiasm over those nasty long worms, yet the boys find them most interesting, and I’m always having to admire the reptiles (what a taste I’ve just been looking at a moth, just hatched out, better than worms anyway).
Evelyn, letter to Philip, July 1942
Out of all the reptiles only one survived. That was the slow worm Bagshaggles. Tim [Henry] and I went and got two lizards on Sunday. One was caught by a rear attack, the other by tickling him out of his hole.
David, letter to Philip, May 1943
Afraid I cannot rake up much enthusiasm for the reptiles etc.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, August 1943
Air Training Corps
In 1941 722 squadron of the Air Training Corps was formed at the School and on Sunday mornings Mr Stroud [chemistry master], resplendent in his Pilot Officers’ Uniform, taught us Navigation. I recently came across a booklet on Elementary Navigation for ‘Air Training Corps, Seamen and others’ which must have come from those days.
Drill and route marches were also arranged, the former by a sergeant, possibly from the Pay Corps, whose name was something like Gatterer – I only heard it ever spoken. Sgt ‘Gatterer’ had a very fine moustache. One day he showed us a ‘sticky bomb’ – a grenade covered with strong adhesive and mounted on a handle. He especially stressed that on no account should the thrower bring it over his back such as to stick on to the back of the head or shoulder. Something I have never forgotten!
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
Flights in training aircraft were given from time to time and we had to get our parents’ permission to fly; I insisted that Mum and Dad gave it. I had 3 flights, the first from an airfield called Locking in an Airspeed Oxford, a good long flight of 1 hour 55 minutes over Devon on 20 April 1943, a second one of 20 minutes over Cornwall on 27 July in an Avro Anson and a third on 3 September 1943 in a De Havilland Dominie, 15 minutes over Barnstaple. The Dominie is a biplane, the military version of the Dragon Rapide. These two flights were from airfields in the west country and we cadets were taken there by special buses.
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
Newspaper War Photographs
While in Ilfracombe, Henry cut war photographs out of the newspaper. Below are the cuttings – click on the images to enlarge.
Wartime
During the summer of 1940 a German invasion was possible and some of us were taken on an open lorry to a field just before Mullacott Cross to dig anti-invasion trenches. These were perhaps ten feet long and three feet wide and the spoil was thrown between one trench and the next to provide a barrier against aeroplanes landing there. We were provided with picks and shovels. For about a foot down the digging was easy, but then was a bed of shale the removal of which was very hard work.
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008
There were 300 children evacuees came in here yesterday, they came from Bristol, another 200 expected tomorrow. Poor little souls, many are being compulsory billeted.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, February 1941
I think some people have come from Bath, they had a nasty time of it that way.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, April 1942
Had an invasion test last Sunday, everyone carried their gas mask.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, April 1942
I could not cross Woolacombe Sands because the red flag was flying. The gorse around this part was beautiful. There were great masses of lovely golden-yellow gorse. A Wellington bomber was smoke-bombing in the bay, and a patrol of soldiers were firing bullets about on the sand.
Henry, journal entry, April 1942
For “Wings for Victory Week” our school is trying to get £163. £100 for a 4000 lb bomb and the rest to take it to Berlin in a twin-engined bomber.
David, letter to Philip, May 1943
They are taking off the iron railings and gates.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1943
Food, Shortages and Rationing
In her letters to Philip back in London, Evelyn often refers to the wartime food situation. Below are quotes from her letters.
August 1940
Thanks very much for the tinned milk, very useful.
January 1941
There has been a shortage of meat here this past week, think it’s general this part.
Thanks very much for the golden syrup. David had some today instead of jam on some pastry, quite enjoyed it.
February 1941
Can you get sultanas currents etc., nothing much of that sort here, makes it difficult to make puddings. We were very glad of syrup, it’s a job to make the sugar last out.
May 1941
Have you had any oranges? I got four without even asking, the greengrocer just popped them in my bag and also eggs which are now rather scarce, I really do very well on the whole.
Am sending you a home made cake, thought you might like a piece to take to school, and you should receive the same round about Tuesday our 20 years wedding anniversary, afraid it’s not a celebration product, but a war time substitute.
Do you find it a job to get eggs your way, I am always scouting round for same here, and there doesn’t seem to be any fruit at all.
June 1941
Hope you have a nice holiday and as much to eat as circumstances will allow, a bit difficult at times isn’t it, I’ve never eaten so many potatoes before, and some of them are not up to much now are they, have knocked off sugar in tea, don’t like it without but ration won’t run to it.
The meat ration is on the short side now isn’t it.
David managed a bilious turn recently of course they don’t get much in the fruit line these days, there have been any amount of strawberries about, 2/6 lb or more and lots of tomatoes, also 2/6 to 3/- now that tomatoes are controlled price, they have all vanished. We had one lot of gooseberries, Miss Smith gave them to us, came out of her garden.
Don’t forget you are entitled to extra sugar for one month, I had hoped to make jam, could not get the gooseberries, hope to be more fortunate with the plums.
July 1941
I managed to get some strawberries to day 1/2 made a little jam, not exactly cheap, but very glad of it, don’t forget to get your extra sugar for the next 4 weeks and if you can get any sultanas at any time so much the better, the boys like home made buns, the shop variety is not up to much now-a-days.
Don’t forget your ration book, not too much food about here, made a little rhubarb jam, the boys soon ate up the strawberry jam I made, difficult to save much in that line for future need, jig along from day to day, cannot get tomatoes or fruit, never ate so much rhubarb in my life, glad to get it, better than nothing. I cannot get pickles for you here, if you would like some, could you bring them.
Don’t forget ration book and any extra food you can manage, none too much this way especially dried fruit or otherwise.
November 1941
I am sorry you are getting thinner, I’m afraid it’s because you do not get enough of my little puddings etc.
I wish apples were a bit cheaper, still we jog along alright.
December 1941
I’ve just made Xmas pudding and cake, war time variety, eggs are very scarce this way also we rarely get any beef do you, but other foods are more plentiful now we have the points.
March 1942
Don’t forget ration books. I hope we do not have to do without any butter, get tired of margerine, no doubt one can get used to almost anything, have my tea sugarless now, (but don’t like it).
June 1942
I enclose some cheese and tea, hope it’s nice cheese, have to have what I can get. David was very pleased with his golden syrup. Have you got your personal ration card yet for sweets?
Can you get any gooseberries your way, nothing doing this way now that the price is lowered. Am glad sweets are to be rationed. Children get double allowance. I made some rhubarb jam, told the boys they could put it on as much as they liked for a change, we eat 3lb in about a week, don’t know what Lord Woolton [Minister of Food] would say.
July 1942
I managed to make some strawberry jam, and how David has enjoyed it, Tim prefers the rhubarb. I hope to make some raspberry shortly. I think Mrs Smith may be able to get me some raspberries, but it’s difficult to save the sugar (go without it in my tea, but don’t like it sugarless) you know the boys need a good tuck in at their age.
When are you coming down dear, it seems such a long time since we saw you last. There are a lot of visitors here, and rations not ever plentiful, if you can manage to bring biscuits for your early tea please do so, as I do not think I could get same.
September 1942
The pears were very acceptable, please thank Johnnie for same, did they come from his own garden?
I should like to have sent a cake for your birthday, but wartime ones not worth sending.
June 1943
No doubt you make a convivial occasion of your tea party at Ede’s, how does she find anything to give you to eat, there isn’t much going now is there, am sorry they are cutting the milk again, the bread doesn’t improve either.
Health
I cannot get Tim [Henry] very fat, bought him beef juice, now Virol, he seems to catch cold very quickly.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, February 1941
They have been asked again about being inoculated against diptheria you haven’t yet said what you think about it.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, February 1941
The school children have been inoculated against diptheria this week, the grammar school on Tuesday. Tim [Henry] was away that day, he caught a cold over that long walk last week, and I had to keep him in bed, but he is alright again now, he looks very nice in his new coat. David was ‘done’ this afternoon at school, he is quite alright, he rather wanted to be done.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, May 1941
We had it very wet and chilly all last week, Tim [Henry] managed to catch a cold, had him in bed over the week end, but he is better now, what a silly idea it is that boys shouldn’t carry an umbrella, but get wet through.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1942
Tim [Henry] had a nasty cold, just got rid of it and caught another, a lot about just now, we have had very cold winds recently, want some sun. I kept him in bed yesterday, but he is at school again to-day.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1942
David has just had another cold, in bed three days, rather a poor sort of holiday. Think he got his feet very wet one play time, and then sat in his damp things, we have had such a lot of heavy rain for weeks.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1943
Dentistry
Unfortunately both Evelyn and Henry suffered from tooth trouble while they were in Ilfracombe. Evelyn writes:
Had to go to the dentist to have an abscess lanced, going again next week, such a nuisance, he said I ought to go into hospital and have my top teeth out, I told him I’d ask my husband, they wouldn’t give me gas but an injection in my arm to send me to sleep, but think myself shall have one or two out with cocaine.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, March 1942
Tim [Henry] went again to the dentist and he said two teeth should come out, not stopped, so I shall go to another dentist, and see what he has to say, do not want any out if it’s possible to save them.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, April 1942
Tim [Henry] is to have his teeth stopped next week. Did I tell you I took him to another dentist, as I didn’t want him to lose his teeth. Had to have them Xrayed to see if stopping was advisable.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, April 1942
Tim’s [Henry’s] teeth rather an expensive job shall draw out for same worth it I think.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, April 1942
I expect the a/c for Tim’s [Henry’s] teeth will be about £4.10.0 or £5, rather a snag, but I knew it would cost a lot, having the nerves in the teeth out before stopping, but didn’t want him to lose his teeth.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, July 1942
I had five teeth out last Tuesday, (1 front, 5 back) and he put 5 new ones on my old plate, and I was able to wear them on Friday. I never said anything about the matter to the boys and they did not know or notice about them. They know now. I am having 2 more out on Friday, and some to be stopped after Xmas. I had the teeth Xrayed first, No gas for me, had injection.
Evelyn, letter to Philip, December 1942
I expect Tim [Henry] told you he had to have a tooth out, it had to come out, so that’s a nasty little job over
Evelyn, letter to Philip, June 1943
Henry writes:
A memory of Ilfracombe that I have is of the three dentists. I experienced all of them.
First was Mr Andrews, of Bath Place. A nice kindly elderly gentleman, who wore a sober suit. He had a treadle drill but did not use it on me. He placed a chemical solution on cotton wool in my tooth cavities which was quite painless.
Why mother then arranged for me next time to see Mr Lovekin I do not know. His surgery was in an upper room in the High Street, and all I remember of him was that he had an electric motor drill mounted on a table top, and used it so vigorously that I refused absolutely to see him again.
Then came Mr Wallis, who practiced almost opposite Mr Andrews in his house named ‘Westaway’ (now, I believe, a guest house). He was much more up-market with a ‘modern’ pillar style drilling assembly but still definitely painful. I once dared to ask him why he did not give an injection for fillings and have never forgotten his reply. “What would happen when the anaesthetic wore off?” I supposed he must have meant pain in perpetuity.
I discussed the later painful experiences with my good friend Peter Harlow, whose dates at Ilfracombe Grammar School were approximately as mine. One of his relations was a pharmacist and Peter told me that a cavity could be satisfactorily cleaned out with a mixture of equal quantities of phenol (carbolic acid) and menthol, crystals of which he kindly secured for me. The crystals liquefied when mixed and one left this mixture on cotton wool in the cavity overnight. Then one filled the hole with gutta percha, which was softened with hot water and then pushed in in front of a mirror. I did a tooth this way and it lasted me nearly a year before needing more professional treatment.
My brother David reminded me that in those days it was quite rare to have local anaesthetics for fillings - a good reason for living in the present era.
Henry, Reminiscence, 2008