General Chat

During my short- lived clear out, and attempt to 'sort out' my genealogical stuff, I came across a cap that had belonged to my mother's husband, John - that is, not my dad, but the man she later married, who, quite frankly, no-one apart from my mother 'got on' with!

Anyway, I obviously found this cap, a certificate, and his Army papers after mum died.
Along with the cap was a certificate, from Kingsbridge Senior School Annual Sports 1941 (the 1 was crossed out and replaced with a 3), stating that: 'John, having won the following Prizes in the overmentioned events, donated the value of the Prize to the National War Effort' which I find hilarious - John had no choice!

Well, where was Kingsbridge Senior School? John was brought up in Battersea, which he was overfond of reminding us.
Looking online, there is a Kingsbridge Community College, in Kingsbridge, Devon.
Then, I realised, John must have been evacuated to Devon during the war.

Further searching, and I found the Cookworthy Museum in Kingsbridge, which is situated in the old Boys Grammar School!

I contacted them last week - and YES they want the cap (which is in immaculate condition) and certificate! :-D :-D

To be honest, I didn't like John, but thought he'd be quite chuffed, and surprised that his cap went back to Devon, rather than end up in a landfill site.

When he left school in 1945/46, John joined the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment. I have his 'Skill at Arms' record book, his Paybook, Release Book, and even his plane ticket from 'British West Indian Airways' for his flight home in 1947!

I could probably get £10 for the ticket on ebay, but will include the items in the package to Kingsbridge, and they can either keep them, or pass them on to the Army museum.

That's very good of you to go to the trouble of sending them considering you didn't like the man, but it's always nice to know that momentoes are not just thrown away. I'm sure the museum will be thrilled to have them.

Kath. x

At least you know you are not sending stuff to landfill which is always a good thought.

It just seemed a shame to throw them away, considering he'd hung on to them for so long.
I have no idea where he thought they'd go. He had no children.
When he died, his siblings, nephews and nieces were asked if they wanted anything - they didn't. They never visited him in the 18 years they lived in Portugal!.