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Wartime Memories of Slades Farm,
Ditteridge Joan Davis, nee Trevitt August 2018 Out of the blue we were sent this wonderful article by Joan Davis, who will achieve ninety-nine years old in November 2018. Joan and her daughter Heather had seen the article about the Summer of 1959 by Clive Banks referring to Jo and Peter Ody, who farmed at Slades Farm, Ditteridge. Joan was brought up mostly in the Yate area near Bristol, and was billeted in Box, staying with Peter and Jo at Slades, during her stint at Rudloe Manor in World War 2. Left: Joan (known to many as Trev) during her Second World War service (courtesy Joan and Heather). |
Shortly after 3rd September 1939, having volunteered as a nineteen year-old for the WAAF (Women' s Auxiliary Air Force), I was posted to Coastal Command RAF Calshot on the south coast as an Equipment Assistant. The first few months were known as the phoney war as all was quiet until May 1940 and the evacuation of Dunkirk. During the summer and into September 1940 we saw the daily dogfights overhead and received attention ourselves from the German bombers and Stukas.
Service at Rudloe Manor
In 1941 I was posted to Fighter Command No. 10 Group at Rudloe Manor near Bath where I worked in the equipment office supporting hostels in the Corsham area, such as Hartham Park, Middlewick & Pickwick. These hostels were used by the Special Operations personnel who worked shifts at Rudloe Manor. All other personnel were billeted out locally although we had our meals at the Manor.
I along with two other WAAF, Nora from Dublin and Val a Londoner, initially went to a very unfriendly house locally where we were instructed by the housekeeper that we had to be in by 10:00pm and that we were not to use the lady resident’s bathroom. A Victorian hip-bath was produced for our use with hot water coming from the kitchen! Transport was laid on to get personnel from Rudloe Manor to their billets or hostels but the winter of 1941-42 was the coldest of the 20th century with deep snow which made it sometimes very difficult for our coach driver. One evening due to the bad conditions we arrived back at our billet after 10:00pm and were denied access. Initially we sat in the summer house wondering what to do but we then realised that there was nothing else for it but to walk up Box Hill and back to Rudloe Manor in the freezing conditions. We therefore spent the rest of the night sitting in the mess room.
Peter and Jo Ody
Service at Rudloe Manor
In 1941 I was posted to Fighter Command No. 10 Group at Rudloe Manor near Bath where I worked in the equipment office supporting hostels in the Corsham area, such as Hartham Park, Middlewick & Pickwick. These hostels were used by the Special Operations personnel who worked shifts at Rudloe Manor. All other personnel were billeted out locally although we had our meals at the Manor.
I along with two other WAAF, Nora from Dublin and Val a Londoner, initially went to a very unfriendly house locally where we were instructed by the housekeeper that we had to be in by 10:00pm and that we were not to use the lady resident’s bathroom. A Victorian hip-bath was produced for our use with hot water coming from the kitchen! Transport was laid on to get personnel from Rudloe Manor to their billets or hostels but the winter of 1941-42 was the coldest of the 20th century with deep snow which made it sometimes very difficult for our coach driver. One evening due to the bad conditions we arrived back at our billet after 10:00pm and were denied access. Initially we sat in the summer house wondering what to do but we then realised that there was nothing else for it but to walk up Box Hill and back to Rudloe Manor in the freezing conditions. We therefore spent the rest of the night sitting in the mess room.
Peter and Jo Ody
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Needless to say we complained to our WAAF officer that we were not prepared to be treated like that and so the three of us were then sent to stay with Jo and Peter Ody at Slades Farm, Ditteridge who had dairy cows and some sheep. What a contrast; Jo and Peter were so kind and friendly to us. Nora, Val and I shared a large bedroom and I remember that the first night spent there was rather perplexing as there were constant shuffling sounds overhead. Next morning Peter asked us if we had slept well so we told him about the strange sounds. He replied Oh you don’t want to take any notice of that, it’s only the rats in the roof; they can’t come in.
The months passed very happily with Jo and Peter. We all pitched in with the daily chore of pumping the large pump in the kitchen to send water upstairs to the bathroom. I remember that there was a shallow stone trough near the back door of the farm house where there was always water bubbling up so I assume that the water supply came from a spring. Evenings were spent together with Jo and Peter in their sitting room playing cards, talking or listening to the wireless with a nightly cup of cocoa and a biscuit before going to bed. Right: Peter Ody and Miss Josephone Gifford on their wedding day in September 1940 at St John the Baptist, Batheaston (courtesy Clive Banks) |
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Jo’s nephew, Peter Best, worked on the farm and I think that he was a teenager then as he seemed very shy and usually disappeared when he caught sight of us three uniformed young ladies ! Peter Ody and Peter Best both joined the Home Guard and went out in full uniform to the local Head Quarters in Box one night every week. One night when they were away we were very frightened by a lot of frenzied beating on the front door and loud shouting, which Jo recognised as being their cow-man who was apparently mentally unwell. Jo phoned the Home Guard Headquarters and Peter returned home shortly after and took charge of the situation. The poor fellow was ultimately confined in an asylum.
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At the outbreak of World War 2 petrol was the first commodity to be rationed and then in 1942 petrol for private use was withdrawn altogether. Peter suggested that out in the barn was a pony trap and harness and if we would like to clean it up then he would buy a pony so that Jo could take us out for pleasurable rides in the evenings.
We agreed with the suggestion but soon discovered that the poultry had made good use of the trap and harness so it wasn’t a quick clean ! However the hard work was well worth it as we thoroughly enjoyed those peaceful rides through the quiet lanes around the farm. |
Slades Farm and outbuildings (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Based at The Hermitage, Bath Road
Eventually my duties changed and I was delegated to prepare The Hermitage, Box, for occupancy by the Special Ops WAAF who worked shifts night and day in the Ops Room. It was an empty house, dusty and obviously very well used by the last resident’s cats! With a team of orderlies we scrubbed floors and cleaned up ready for beds to arrive and occupation. The kitchen was in the basement and the cooks and staff hated it saying it was haunted, so on arrival for duty everyday they made me
walk downstairs first whilst they followed behind! I never saw a spectre but it was indeed an odd house.
Eventually my duties changed and I was delegated to prepare The Hermitage, Box, for occupancy by the Special Ops WAAF who worked shifts night and day in the Ops Room. It was an empty house, dusty and obviously very well used by the last resident’s cats! With a team of orderlies we scrubbed floors and cleaned up ready for beds to arrive and occupation. The kitchen was in the basement and the cooks and staff hated it saying it was haunted, so on arrival for duty everyday they made me
walk downstairs first whilst they followed behind! I never saw a spectre but it was indeed an odd house.
Shortly after this in the summer of 1942 I was put up for a commission and so I left Rudloe Manor, Jo, Peter and Slades Farm. However we always kept in touch during and after the war. I was much saddened to hear of Peter’s death at a relatively young age but Jo continued to live at Slades Farm sharing her house with Peter Best who married and continued to run the farm. In my last Christmas card from Jo she said she was 87 years old and had recently been in the Bath Clinic. She still struggled on and we continued to keep in touch but finally came a Christmas when there was no card from Jo.
Weeks later I received a letter from Peter Best telling me that his Aunt Jo had passed away and that he had found my address when clearing out her bureau. So, sadly, ended our long and happy friendship. Jo and Peter were a delight to know and I continue to remember them and my time at Slades Farm with gratitude and great fondness.
Weeks later I received a letter from Peter Best telling me that his Aunt Jo had passed away and that he had found my address when clearing out her bureau. So, sadly, ended our long and happy friendship. Jo and Peter were a delight to know and I continue to remember them and my time at Slades Farm with gratitude and great fondness.
Jo and Peter Ody at Slades Farm (courtesy Clive Banks)