OE Ron Williamson has shared his memories of being a 13-year-old pupil at Emanuel School in Petersfield during World War Two.
“I was billeted at a house in College Street Petersfield together with two other thirteen year old Emanuel School pupils. In 1944, College Street was part of the London to Portsmouth main road which was being heavily used by the military traffic on their way to assembly points for the invasion of France. The non-stop stream of vehicles going through Petersfield comprised mainly tanks and half track vehicles with the result that the tarmac became thoroughly churned up, and the continual traffic jam caused school lessons to be suspended. Increasingly the tanks were remaining stationery outside our house for long periods.
Our bedroom was about the same height from the ground as a soldier standing on the turret of a tank. Because we were close enough to be able to hand a tray of mugs though our bedroom window, we had the idea that we could give tea to the tank personnel while they were stopped – and so our D Day adventure began. We found ourselves running up and down to the kitchen with fresh mugs of tea and then waiting by the window ready to grab the tray of empty mugs as soon as the tanks started to move again.
It certainly does not seem like yesterday, but equally it does not feel like seventy six years ago!
The billet house in Petersfield; Ron's bedroom was on the first floor, facing the road.
On 8th May 1945 (VE Day), the morning assembly was held at 9.30 and everyone was dismissed for the next 2 days. We all rushed out of school towards the High Street, ending up in the Square.
Eventually the Headmaster arrived, and I finished up standing close by him (third on his left). How strange it was to be standing close to the Headmaster in such a relaxed and informal setting – in contrast to the awe in which he was held in his school study, or in the main hall during Assembly.
Emanuel pupils and the Headmaster in Petersfield, with Ron third on the Headmaster's left.
The boys living in Petersfield fell into one of three groups – Emanuel School, Churcher’s College, or the ‘townies’. I have never understood how Emanuel seemingly took over the Square on VE Day, to the exclusion of the other two groups – but we did. Perhaps it was because the Sixth Form jazz band – the Windsor Rhythm Kings – had taken up position on top of the concrete air raid shelter in the Square. Lights had been fitted up during the day and the band played to a large crowd up to midnight.”
Thank you very much to Ron Williamson for his kind permission to publish his photographs and memories.