Memories of 1940s Ashley January 2024 Eddie Weeks
The Northey Arms bay window in 1935 (courtesy Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 29 June 1935)
I am now 89 and, even though I left Box in 1952 and my memory is not as good as it used to be, I still have vivid memories of Ashley in the 1930s and 40s.
Your article on the road crashes in a recent issue of the website was of interest although some occurred after I had left the area. However, I do recall an incident involving my father Tom Weeks who ran the only stone yard at Box Station to reopen after the War. Apparently, he did a major job replacing the large bay window on the Northey Arms following a road accident when three American soldiers in a Jeep swung off the road and crashed into the window.[1]
The soldiers were severely injured and were taken to hospital. It was fortunate that the pub was closed as any customers sitting in the window seats would have been killed when the masonry wall collapsed. The publican, Leonard James “Jock” Read, was fortunate to escape without injury as he was walking close to the window at the time.
There were other accidents involving the Northey Arms during the war. In March 1941 two RAF officers were killed - Squadron-Leader Francis John Buckland sitting in the front passenger seat, and the driver Flight-Lieutenant Francis James Davies. They were returning from the theatre in Bath shortly after midnight when their car crashed into a lorry and trailer on the London Road, near Morris Lane, Batheaston. The car appeared to be driving on the wrong side of the road. Other passengers in the car, Flight-Lieutenant Whittaker and Mrs Doris Read landlady of the Northey Arms, were seriously injured and taken to hospital.[2] Squadron-Leader Buckland came from London but was buried in a Commonwealth War grave in Box Cemetery.
Ashley Rifle Range
When living at Looe (now called Appledore), Ashley, during the War, the sound of rifle fire from the Ashley Rifle Range could be dominant when practice was happening. Also, I attended King Edwards School, Bath, and as a member of the School Combined Cadet Force we went to the range once a year to fire rifles and Bren Guns. On my first visit I was a recruit and had to raise a red flag at the top of the wood to the east of the range. We only used the 100-yard area.
The soldiers were severely injured and were taken to hospital. It was fortunate that the pub was closed as any customers sitting in the window seats would have been killed when the masonry wall collapsed. The publican, Leonard James “Jock” Read, was fortunate to escape without injury as he was walking close to the window at the time.
There were other accidents involving the Northey Arms during the war. In March 1941 two RAF officers were killed - Squadron-Leader Francis John Buckland sitting in the front passenger seat, and the driver Flight-Lieutenant Francis James Davies. They were returning from the theatre in Bath shortly after midnight when their car crashed into a lorry and trailer on the London Road, near Morris Lane, Batheaston. The car appeared to be driving on the wrong side of the road. Other passengers in the car, Flight-Lieutenant Whittaker and Mrs Doris Read landlady of the Northey Arms, were seriously injured and taken to hospital.[2] Squadron-Leader Buckland came from London but was buried in a Commonwealth War grave in Box Cemetery.
Ashley Rifle Range
When living at Looe (now called Appledore), Ashley, during the War, the sound of rifle fire from the Ashley Rifle Range could be dominant when practice was happening. Also, I attended King Edwards School, Bath, and as a member of the School Combined Cadet Force we went to the range once a year to fire rifles and Bren Guns. On my first visit I was a recruit and had to raise a red flag at the top of the wood to the east of the range. We only used the 100-yard area.
References
[1] Western Daily Press, 7 November 1944, The Wiltshire Times, 11 November 1944
[2] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 and 15 March 1941, and 24 and 31 January 1942
[1] Western Daily Press, 7 November 1944, The Wiltshire Times, 11 November 1944
[2] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 and 15 March 1941, and 24 and 31 January 1942