Author Archives: Ruiha Smalley

Vince (aka Paul) Dale: memories of Ashenbank Camp

Posted on 12th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

I was born in Ealing Hospital on the 6th November 1942, during the blitz, I was too young to remember it but we were bombed out and had to move. My first memory is of being four years old (1946) … Continue reading →

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Cottage life

Posted on 12th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Now back at the cottage our life with the Bennets and Morriss’ went on. We had a huge walnut tree, it really belonged to Captain Bentley but it was our patch for the tap, which supplied all the water for … Continue reading →

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Life at Wilmar

Posted on 11th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Now for my life living in Wilmar (1930).  (This was not the sort of house that we were used to and we were only there because my mother acted as caretaker when the family were abroad.) I can only tell … Continue reading →

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Poverty and home life

Posted on 8th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Poor people seldom had the doctor, it was far too expensive and if they did call they were never too bothered.   We were all vaccinated when we were small they used to prick you three or four times on the … Continue reading →

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Tony Austin: “Thong Lane all my life”

Posted on 7th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

I have lived in three of the four Cheney’s Cottages in Thong Lane all my life, they were originally built for Darnley Estate workers and later rented to workers at Cheney’s Farm. I originally lived in one of the cottages … Continue reading →

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