Notes from Interview with Dorothy Amphlett

NOTES:         Dorothy Amphlett (87) of Highnam July 2005

Maiden name Doroth Biddle Married George who was born in Highnam worked on estate but later joined fire service.

Came to live at Highnam 1940

Lived in cottage that was burnt down in September 1940

Sailors formed chain gang with buckets from pond quite a distance away

They were marvelous and helped save some of furniture and belongings

Also rescued elderly lady (Mrs Glover) next door and some of their belongings.

Navy conditions terrible worst winter can ever remember – under water, mud, cold…………….

Used church regularly Donald McLain was vicar.

Walked to services at Cathedral

Captain Elwood

Officer billeted at Dog Inn fetched each day by a WREN, several there.

Locals needed pass to go to church

Navy first on scene of fire – marvelous job by navy men, chain gang with buckets from pond (The Fishpond) quite a long way away. Lost most of belongings. Navy Managed to save some of belongings especially from next door.

Fine old cottages – belonged to Mark Gambier Parry – see newspaper cutting

Elderly couple Mr and Mrs Glover in other half of cottage had been there 21 years.

Lady not aware of fire -rescued by navy men

Was not at home when fire started got home to find home gone – must have been smoldering for some time. Work being carried out on roof,

Dorothy went to live at Pinetum after fire and remembers RAF Bomber crash (1940) near house just inside the woods. She remembers seeing 4 bodies in building called the kennels.  RAF men kept guard several days and slept in their house .  Mrs Jones school teacher took children to crash site was very severely reprimanded.

John Daggart gave her the book JUMNA he was from Berwick on Tweed

Remembers USA soldiers but did not approve of them!

German POW’s came after USA army left.    Remembers Helmut and others visited them and the locals and helped with jobs such as sawing wood etc.

Gave info to Reg Ward ( Margate) when starting Shotley Ganges museum

Presented with Ganges plaque – very proud of.

Barbara Taylor (84) Memories of Highnam

Lived in Highnam (Old Maidenhall) from age 19 yrs 1940 to 1980 Only about 15 houses at that time

Moved into new house but very severe winter water frozen. No heating and when thawed water came though ceiling

Thomas Gambier Parry planted 399 trees1888

Hubert Parry inherited estate (Son of first Marriage) died 1918

Passed 1978 to Tom Fenton.

HMS Ganges. Sailors had no baths on camp so villagers let them use theirs. Qued for baths Tusday evenings but after 4 hot water ran out Rector made announcement in church asking for volunteers/

Wren Pam Haddan?? Every morning collected commander from Dog Inn

Wrens stayed with families  believes that Frank Ellis  (Two Mile Lane) and Harold Keen took in a Wren each.

German POW’s

Worked on farms and helped villagers Barbara remembers man who had fought at Stalingrad. They went to church but had to sit at back, Barbara’s father who was church warden objected. Christmas morning gave a spindlberry  off hedges as a present

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