John Corscaden, Remembers
In 1943 I was a 13 year old in Hawkhurst and one Sunday my father William (Will) came home from having a drink in either the Queens or Royal Oak and brought with him Eric Pilkington (Sgt) with whom he had struck up conversation and Eric had lunch with us. He was told by my Mother & Father he was welcome to come in any time which he did over the time he was at Hawkhurst. After a while he brought with him Stuart Jones (MM) a fellow Liverpudlian and as the months went by the number increased so that hardly a day went by without one of "The Boys" calling in. These included Jack Bobbitt, Jock Craig and from memory and looking at your list of names-Sam Kemp and Bob Forret. There were a number of others up to 10 in total or thereabouts. Gordon Brown was one and when they left Hawkhurst he gave me an inscribed "History of Architecture" in appreciation of the kindness shown by my parents. The "Boys" also on leaving had a group photo taken for my parents which I cannot find at the moment but am still looking. There was a "Ron" from London and also Doug who was very tall and whist with us was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant
The Boys
Back Row, Left to Right:- Lance Bombadier Stuart Jones, "Curly" Backshall, Sam
Kemp, Bob Forret,
Duggie
Burrel, Jack Bobbitt.
Front Row, Left to Right:- "Johnny" Walker, Jock Craig, Eric Pilkington,
"Ace" Ron Beazley.
I remember one Christmas-I suppose 1943-when Eric Pilkington's and Stuart Jones wives came down and stayed with us. There was a large party at home that time and I distinctly remember we must have been playing some sort of forfeits as Stuart Jones had to go out into the blackedout street and shout "I'm Mad" three times which he did very loudly. At that party all the boys brought something with them Jock Craig brought shortcake and I remember there was a large number of bottles of "Moussec" !
On the question of food which was not plentiful my mother used to make "swill pie" which consisted of a large pie mostly vegetable and potato with possibly some rabbit inside.
A few years ago now I saw note of a reunion in a paper and wrote to the organiser and after he gave an announcement at that Jack Bobbitt wrote to me. We continued to exchange greetings up to his death and I still have Xmas cards from his widow.
For further wartime memorys of John Corscaden, see Boyhood in the Weald