Soham Roots - World War Two Snippets, Soham.

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SOHAM PARISH
Genealogy and Local History, East Cambridgeshire

World War Two Snippets
Soham

Evacuees
Reported September 8th 1939.
The reception, billeting of Evacuees in Soham was carried out under the control of Mr R Banyard the Billeting Officer, together with Mr P. W. Lovering The work both prior to the arrival and during the 3 days of the evacuation was under joint management of the above with a large staff of devoted helpers, those responsible as the Sector Heads for the billeting of the Evacuees were Mrs R Banyard, Mrs E.P. Leonard, Mr H Talbot, Mrs P Fisk, Mrs H Peak, Mr C.J. Ford, Mrs S Bobby, Mr F Owers, Mr T. D. Graves, Miss J Hunt, Miss Winn, Miss P Cook, Mr A Biggs, Mr C.J. Clears, Mr H Stittle Mr E Brooks, Mr H Markham who was responsible for Barway.
Total No. of Evacuees to date are, unaccompanied Children 391, Teachers and Helpers 38, Adults with Children 25.

''Let em all come'' Home Defence Battalions

First Aid Practice
Reported on September 8th 1939.
All Members and Probationers of the Red Cross (Cambs 22) also the A.R.P.
Volunteers for the two first aid parties are especially asked to attend the opening first aid practice which will be conducted by Dr. H. C. Nickson in the large room at the Recreation Ground Pavilion next Monday at 8pm. Uniform should be worn by The Red Cross Members and black tie and belt may take the place of the white apron.
(See the images on the First Aid Practice webpage.)

Red Cross Badge.

Crisis Matters Air Raid Precaution Badge.
Reported September 8th 1939.
It is pointed out that offers of help are still urgently needed for work in connection with the Red Cross Associates and persons willing to assist are asked to give their names to Mrs W Slack in the event of hostilities. Members are requested to report immediately to Mrs Slack of St Etheldredas Lodge when work parties will be formed for making bandages and other hospital supplies, also for making infants clothing including knitted vests Chief Air Warden, Mr R Waddington points out that a number of gas masks are still on hand. District Wardens names are obtainable from the Post Office. Mrs Cattell is in charge of the W.V.S.

Volunteers Wanted
Reported September 29th 1939.
Knowledge of boot and shoe repair, to repair shoes for Evacuated Children, all
materials provided, can work at home. All names to be given to the Post Master.

Your Country Needs You.

Soham to have a siren
Reported on September 29th 1939.
Money for a siren to be raised by collections. A Public meeting was held at the Pavilion on Tuesday Evening about the purchase of an electric siren. There was 51 votes in favour, permission has been obtained for the erection of the siren where the Police Sergeant resides. After the first siren, belonging to Mr Roger Clark, was sounded 40 to 50 people gathered in the Street under some confusion, some were smoking cigarettes and looking into the sky.
House to house collection Volunteers for the siren fund are
Messer's A Wells, F Pluck, Watson, Gooch, H.L. Peacock,
J Audus, J Beynon, Fred Green, Turner, Reader, C.J. Clears, Howe, F.R. Hutt and Miss Reeve.

Careless Talk Costs Lives.

Red Cross Centre Opens
Reported on September 22nd 1939.
The Red Cross Centre has been opened this week at Churchgate House, the hours of attendance being from 11 to 12 am. and 2 to 3 pm. Sundays Excepted, all minor injuries amongst the Evacuee Children and others maybe brought to this centre where they will receive attention. Stretcher Bearers are still needed and Persons willing to help contact Mrs Bland.

Ministry of Food ''National Dried Milk''

Red Cross Flag Day
Reported on 6th October 1939.
National Red Cross Flag Day in aid of The Lord Mayors Fund will take place on Friday 13th October. Any Persons willing to assist are invited to attend a meeting at the Pavilion next Monday at 7.30 pm. In charge will be Mrs W. A. Slack.

Billeting Officer Resigns
Reported on 10th November 1939.
Mr R Banyard the Billeting Officer resigns.

Make Do And Mend.

Evacuation Scheme
Reported 6th October 1939.
People who have Evacuees billeted in their homes are asked to display the special National Service I.D. Card in their front window or on their front door.

Ministry of Food ''Ration Book''

Soham Cemetery Inscriptions.

This Record of the Monumental Inscriptions at the Fordham Road Cemetery, Soham, was made by Tim and Julie Webb of Soham between 2004 and 2010 as time permitted. This electronic version comprises the full text of the transcript, with the addition of photographs of the graves as well as purchase and burial details taken from the original purchase and burial registers.

Safe for all ages.

Quakers of Cambridgeshire
and the Isle of Ely.

This is a very interesting book that we have extracted the Cambridgeshire part from, the full title of the book is, A Collection of the Sufferings of the People called Quakers, and was published in 1753, but gives accounts as far back as 1653, has many names from this area and details of what became of them including their punishments because of their Faith, is an absolutely fascinating read.

Cambridgeshire and
Huntingdonshire Leaders.

A great resource for anyone with interest in the political and social history of both Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire

Cures for Beasts.

This is a little handwritten book dated 1817 in our possession, that once belonged to a local Live Stock Farmer, it is unique and is a book of recipes of old fashioned Cures for all manner of disorders in Cattle, Sheep and Horses, you can read how they cured these things with local ingredients, some sound pretty hair raising. Only available from us.

CREDITS

Copyright © 2011 Soham Roots * Tim & Julie Webb creators of Soham Roots
* Theme by and Webmaster Tim Webb * Thanks goes to all those people who have contributed to this website and to the Soham Roots collection.