SYD COX 1939-1940

Dates at Cottage Homes: 1939-1940

Cottage name: Landseer

Siblings: younger brother in Forbes

Children he remembers: Bill Jones - (my uncle - Vi's brother)

Foster Father and mother: Mr and Mrs Goodwin

As a 10 year old who spent a care free and enjoyable 15 months in Landseer cottage, Jan 1939 until April 1940,we had more freedom than the girls.

Weekends and and summer evenings we could go over to the two playing fields and sometimes wander out of bounds, or go into Woolies in Hornchurch.

We would only see the girls in church on Sunday,and at talking films,I remember Will Hay in O Mr Porter,Crazy Gang in Strike me Pink, 39 Steps and John Mills in Forever England. Back in the cottage we would act out parts of the films.

At Christmas time we had a party in our cottage with girls from one of girls cottages.

We had porridge and cooked breakfast,then off to school,we went to different schools,home for cooked dinner and afters,back to school,we all walked to our schools. Tea time was two slices of bread and butter,sometimes jam,and cup of tea,a piece of fruit cake on Sunday.

We sat ten to a table and an older boy would be in charge to serve it out, if there was any over, then the oldest would get 1st choice, then down in age. Your uncle Bill (note from Katy - Violet Jones' brother - my uncle) was my table head us younger ones had no more till breakfast,but old boys had cocoa before bed,they came up after us younger ones.

Summer we had swimming in our baths, separated by age but shared with another cottage.

Winter we had gym once week,and some boys had band practice, once a week we had films.

Saturday morning we had small chores to do,we always had two sausages and mash for dinner my favourite, then off out over the fields and sometimes off out of bounds.

Christmas was much looked forward to,and we talked a lot about it. We all had a stir of the Xmas pudding,and made a wish. Mother put in some silver 3 p bits,and I remember being lucky to get one. After Christmas dinner lots of presents were laid on the tables,and we all lined up with the eldest first,then descending by age to pick a present, then round again till all were gone. I was one of the youngest,but I still got three presents.

The next big talking point was the camping holiday to Walton on the Naze, we were all excited and looking forward to it. We slept in big bell tents eight to a tent, near bye was the cook house and toilet block. We shared with a home from Banstead Surrey. I do not remember the girls there,perhaps they went a different fortnight The very younger children went to Dymchurch. Super and his family came with us, and first week he would take us all down to the beach for swimming, the second week we went in the afternoon, the rest of the time apart from organised games we had to ourselves. I remember a boating lake out side the camp where we enjoyed our selves. I did send a picture post of the camp card home it was described as L.C.C camp.

Hornchurch was a great place to grow up in, with plenty of friends, and our Father and Mother Mr and Mrs Goodwin were very kind and friendly as I am sure your Uncle Bill will also agree. They had an assistant Miss Kay,who lived in the out house and Miss Elsie who came in each day. All food was freshly cooked and obtained from the stores where Uncle Bill worked, and bread from our bakery. Shoes were checked each week,and repairs were sent to our own cobblers.

Father Goodwin was the Homes tailor.

Another day to look forward to was Pocket money day once a month,when us younger ones got two pence,the older ones got a bit more. That day we were allowed to walk out the front gate to the sweet shop over the road.

Other then going to school we were not allowed out of the Main gate. You had to walk past the Supers house to the gate, you were usually seen by him,or his wife,and turned back.

Sports day was a big day with inter house competition,and many visitors. I do not remember the girls taking part, but I am sure they must have done.

We had a second jacket and trousers,and shoes which we wore for church on Sunday. Each house had a different coloured woollen tie, otherwise we all had the same colour grey clothes.

We washed ourselves just before bedtime then lined up before mother or father, usually father to check us. You showed the front and back of hands, then he would put his hand on your head, pull it forward to look at the back of your neck, then to each side and up to make sure your neck was clean, also clean your teeth. We had a bath once a week, Mother or Miss Kay would see to this.

Landseer house was an enjoyable place, no bullying or harsh punishment just the slipper from father. Uncle Bill said he would clip you on the head ,with his knuckles I do not remember this .

Mum would write to me, with a stamped address envelope to reply,and some times a sixpenny postal order. I think we were a happy family, and I never wished to go home.

The reason I was there. I was the eldest of three boys,living with our mum who was legally separated from dad. December 1938 mum was taken into hospital with rheumatic fever. Only two of us could go to live with relations, leaving one to go in a home, but mum did not want us separated. We first went to Henniker House in Fulham for a few weeks,where my middle brother was taken to hospital,and died age 6. My youngest brother age 4 and I then went to Hornchurch. I went into Landseer cottage, my brother went into Forbes cottage. He later went into Napier cottage, where they were kept in, they only came out under supervision. It was opposite to Landseer, and I would see him through the railings,when they were in their play ground.

Mum and dad sometimes came on a Saturday to visit. Mum was still not well enough to have us home. About April 1940 my brother and I were taken to Wroxham Norfolk,where we caught up with my old school from Bethnal Green.

Being near the coast, fear of invasion in June we then went to North Staffs,where I stayed till 1944, when I left school. If you go on line and write Sydney Cox Evacuee. There are two sites concerning me.

Regards Syd Cox

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