Page 85 - br-june-2020

June 2020 June 2020

OBITUARIES Parish VE Day Scrapbook Project
Over the last week or so doing this amazing project of constructing a VE Day 75
Scrapbook my one concern was that in creating it, I would do all the stories
GEOFFREY WILTON BOOTH justice. During the course of obtaining the information I have spoken to/emailed
over 45 people. I have received stories, pictures and information from 35 people.
GWB, the youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Booth, was born on 11th
February, 1934, at St. Helen's Hospital, Hastings, Sussex. St. Helen's was not only What a wonderful community response!
his birthplace, but his home, as the family lived in a house in the hospital The scrapbook is not quite complete yet but a lot of the stories and pictures are
grounds, because Dr. Booth was the Medical Superintendent. on the parish website as are a couple of pictures of the actual book. More will be
added over the coming days, so please check the website.
Geoffrey grew up having the run of the hospital, from the wards and the
workshops, to the workhouse on the opposite side of the road, where he Once it is possible, the book will hopefully be kept in the Village Hall so that all
made friends with the residents with mental handicaps, and the casual can access it. A small part of the social history of the people who live in our parish
labourers who tramped the country and who received a night's lodging for a now even if they started off in many different places.
day's labour.
A great big thank you to all from Elizabeth Whatley of the Parish Council COVID-
He spent hours in the hospital carpentry, where he was taught to handle tools 19 Response Group
correctly, he helped the porter move bodies, and on the maternity ward he

helped to test urine samples!
Read the parish Magazine on the community website
Geoffrey's parents worried that Hastings was in danger from invasion during
the early days of the Second World War, so it was decided that the boys The parish website also now includes a printer’s copy of the Parish Magazine
should be sent to boarding school. Ant and Pat went in 1941, and Geoffrey available on the Whats On page. Although a bit difficult to read because it is in
followed a year later, aged 8. They were sent to All Hallows' School at A4 designed to be folded into A5 it is all there and of course the information now
Rousdon,near Lyme Regis, and there Geoffrey spent the next ten years. comes ahead of the print and distribution timescales.(www.briantspuddle.info)
One of his clear memories of the war was pulling back the dormitory curtains
one morning, and seeing that the sea below the school was filled with ships as Please ask for help if you need it.
far as the eye could see: D-Day!
If you live within the parish and need any help coping with the restrictions caused
Geoffrey enjoyed photography, and was able to use the developing skills he
by Covid19 please don't hesitate to contact the parish helpline, we are aware
had learned in the hospital darkroom, but his favourite hobby was rifle
that some people are reluctant to ask for help, but please know that our lovely
shooting, and he eventually became team captain and represented the volunteers are there to help you during these difficult times.
school at Bisley, when they won the Ashburton Shield.
Contact details for the COVID-19 Response Group will remain unchanged
All young men at that time were obliged to do two years of National Service, throughout this crisis.
so after A levels, Geoffrey chose to go into the Army.
Email: parishhelpline@gmail.com Phone:07745 796 118
While doing his basic training he was invited to
consider a permanent career as an Army officer, and David Griffith, Response Group Coordinator
after tests he was sent to Sandhurst for two years,
joining the Royal Artillery in February 1955.

He spent the next few months at Larkhill, near
Salisbury, and it was then that he met Joan, who was
in her last term at Salisbury Diocesan Training College,
learning to become a teacher.

12 85