|
In
father’s absence at first – for six months or so – we stayed at Grandfather
Bicker’s in Poyntzpass. Then my two
sisters were fostered to two married aunts.
I
was taken in by Granny Hanna who had already reared nine sons. She was more comfortable with boys. This was to my advantage as she was a lovely
person and respected by all. Her life
had been hard, helping grandfather to run the farm as well as rearing so many
sons. It was a sad day for me when
grandmother died when I was fourteen.
During
the period 1926-1941 my life revolved around school at first, and then the
farm. Only one of the nine sons remained
at home, my uncle Jack. He went round
the country with a steam engine (later a tractor) and a threshing machine. From the age of eight I worked with
grandfather around the farm. I had to
learn fast. This mixed farm had many
crops – potatoes, corn, barley, wheat, flax and turnips – and many animals –
milk cows, beef cows, pigs, sheep and horses. I enjoyed this life, not knowing any other. I suppose I’d have liked more time to play
with friends such as Harry Poole, Reggie Clarke and Harry Brown.
There
were never any toys at Christmas, just an orange and a bar of chocolate. I was grateful for this: I knew my
grandparents were short of cash. There
were two big occasions in my annual calendar. Cremore Church sports day for children took
place on James Shaw’s (the eggman) field. At the finish mugs of tea and currant buns were distributed. Then there was the annual Sunday School outing. We went to Newcastle or Warrenpoint for the day. Grandfather would give me sixpence to spend,
but would remark: Mind you don’t spend all of that! I expect something back! With this large sum I would get a bottle of
pop and a couple of currant buns. There
were times when I would bring back a penny or two to hand over to grandfather.
My
first bicycle was a real museum piece. There was no saddle and no tyres on the wheels. I rode with my leg through the frame. To brake I pushed my foot between the frame
and the wheel. This bone-shaker was just
for us to play with round the farm.
When
war broke out, I was just fourteen. Hearing all the stories of the Battle of Britain I decided I would join
the services as quickly as possible. My
mother seems to have smoothed the way for my entry with Sgt Taylor of
Poyntzpass, the Recruiting Sergeant. Although
I was two years under age I was accepted. I joined the Royal Ulster Rifles and caught a train to Ballymena. I embarked on a new way of life which was to
occupy me for the next twenty-four years. I served all over the world and found a wife in Hamburg, Germany. We’ve been married for almost forty years. |
