Tag Archives: social history

Hopping in WWII

Posted on 24th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

When we were still young, we used to go down to Yalding to go hopping.  We had some good fun.  We used to stay in an old barn next to the pub in Laddingford, The Chequers, the one I mentioned … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A girl in Cobham village

Posted on 19th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Now to get back to my life as a girl in the village… I went to Cobham school until I was fourteen, it was a lovely village, everyone knew everyone else and were always willing to help.  Mind you everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Living in Gravesend and Cobham

Posted on 19th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

No. 11 The Overcliffe We lived at no. 11 The Overcliffe, Gravesend.  Old Tom (that’s what we called mum’s husband). One night he told mum he would take me out with him, I didn’t want to go but in those … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

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 →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged | Leave a comment