 |
|
Euston Hall opened March 1940 as an evacuation centre for boys aged five to fourteen years. Dr. Barnardo's handed back Euston Hall just after wars end in March 1946. Euston Hall belonged to the Duke of Grafton who loaned a wing of Euston Hall to Dr. Barnardo's to be used as an evacuation centre for the duration of the war. During World War II the government required all owners of large buildings, in particular stately homes, to use their buildings for the war effort. Some became hospitals for the war wounded, others centres of Allied operations, whilst others offered their homes for orphanages. One old boy Sidney Asbury recalls his days at Euston from 1939 to 1945 If my memory serves me correctly, I was there for about six years. Euston Hall was owned by The Duke and Duchess of Grafton and they "let out" part of the hall to us Barnardo Boys. I remember we would go bare footed in the summer months and of course we would wear boots in the winter. We seemed to have plenty of snow in winter (especially in 1947) I shall never forget that year. I suffered with chilblains on my fingers, and even later, when I went to W.N.T.S. but thankfully that is all in the past. Mr Leslie was the Superintendent and I think a lady named Miss or Mrs Fermoy? was a music teacher. Evidently I could sing in those days (before my voice broke) and I would sing with a Miss Bristow, especially at Christmas time. We sang 'Good King Wenceslas' in front of an audience of American Air Force personnel who were stationed nearby. I also remember how kind the Americans were to us kids, and how we saw for the first time that I remember, ice-cream and turkey and peanut brittle, (I don't think I've seen peanut brittle since). Also, when I sang to them, I don't think they knew how petrified I was, standing there before them. But as I said, they were wonderful generous people and I shall never forget them. Later on the Allied Forces moved in to what we called 'The Park'. One thing we looked forward to was bracken pulling because we could all go swimming in the river with not a costume among us!! Then later in the year, we would go 'beating' which meant we would scare all the game (pheasants, rabbits, hares etc.) for The Duke and his friends and family who tried to 'get' them with shot guns, while we kids enjoyed a pork pie and a bottle of 'pop'. It perhaps doesn't sound much nowadays, but it was enjoyable for us then, especially swimming in the river. The story continues click here Reproduced from the Guild Messenger 1992 Then In the Guild Messenger of February 1973 it was reported by Brian "Todd" Hird It is with much sadness we learnt of the death of Mr. Leslie on 5th August 1972, at his home in Cheltenham. Mr. Leslie, known as "Pop" to the many hundreds of boys who passed through his care, was a quick thinking, extremely fair man, a man who even the cleverest boy found one step in front. The longer we boys knew him the more we respected him. I first met him during the latter war years at Euston Hall, a stately home in Norfolk with the Duke of Grafton in residence, who had loaned Barnardo's a wing for some two hundred boys. The two years I spent there will never be forgotten the coach trips to mine infested Yarmouth, the much looked forward to American parties, the manoeuvres in the park, the "doodle bugs" that buzzed overhead, the bunks, the Italian prisoners of war. With these memories I think of Mr. Leslie, always there, with the responsibility of us boys always on his shoulders. After the war, Mr. Leslie transported two coach loads of boys across the country to Badgeworth Court, near Cheltenham, and set up a fine home for about some forty boys. I think summer camp at Uphill will be remembered most by Badgeworth boys. Mr. Leslie organized camp as good as any Scoutmaster. During his years as Superintendent at Badgeworth he welcomed back many Old Boys, and a few of us living locaIly spent many happy hours reminiscing the past. To Mrs. Leslie and family, on behalf of all Old Boys, we convey our deepest sympathy. |