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March 2024 March 2024
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REV SANDRA WILLIAMS’ RETIREMENT

A boy lived with his parents in a small wooden bungalow in the countryside. News was shared in churches across the West Purbeck Benefice at the beginning
Across the road from them was a small cottage in which lived a man on his own. of February that Rev Sandra Williams will be retiring at the end of April this year.
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Often the neighbour would come across to their bungalow to borrow a spanner, Sandra’s last services will be on Sunday 28 April. I know that many people have
etc. as neighbours do. And sometimes the young man would be sent over with a already expressed both their sadness that we will be losing Sandra, and also their
message. If it was winter he would be invited in to sit by the log fire and would joy for Sandra and Graham as they begin a new stage of life in retirement. We
listen to many tales of adventure. will miss them hugely.
As he grew older he was asked what he wanted to do. The friend across the road We will all want to thank Sandra for her generous ministry amongst us since 2019.
suggested he joined the Air Force, the wonderful up-and-coming modern R.A.F. It The collection of donations will be coordinated by the treasurer of Affpuddle
had such potential. The young man was persuaded. So as soon as he could he PCC. Everyone who would like to make a donation towards a farewell gift to
joined up. Sandra is asked to do it in the following way:
Then came the second war, W.W.2. Sadly he was shot down and killed instantly. By Bank transfer to:
The neighbour across the road also died a few years before, crashing his motor- PCC Affpuddle & Turnerspuddle
cycle while avoiding two boys on bicycles.
Lloyds Bank Dorchester
The young man’s name is on the War Memorial in Bladen Valley, Basil Knowles of Sort code: 30-92-69
Briantspuddle, Dorset. Account number: 07375937
This short story was told to Irene Bryant by Henrietta Knowles, his mother. Ref: Rev Sandra’s retirement gift
The following details are of both the son and his father’s war records. Or by cheque payable to ‘PCC Affpuddle &Turnerspuddle’. Or cash. Please put
cheques or cash into an enveloped marked ‘Rev Sandra’s retirement gift’ and
Basil E Knowles on Briantspuddle War Memorial give them to a churchwarden or member of the clergy team in any of our
Basil Elles Sharp Knowles was a Sergeant with 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force and churches across the West Purbeck Benefice.
died on Wednesday 1 May 1940 aged 19. Details of farewell services, celebrations and the event at which we will present
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He is commemorated at the War Memorial in Briantspuddle and at Runnymede the gift will be in next month’s magazine. . Please hold Sandra and Graham in
Memorial dedicated to Airmen who were lost in the Second World War and who your prayers at this time of transition.
have no known graves. There is also a plaque on his parent’s grave in Moreton, With many thanks,
Dorset stating that he was a Sergeant-Pilot although the R.A.F. Personnel
Management Agency state that he enlisted as an Air Observer on 20 March Richard
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1939. He died in a Wellington Bomber in a raid to Stavanger, Norway.
The Revd Canon Richard Bartlett
Basil, known to his family as ‘Bill’, was the youngest son of Sergeant Arthur Knowles
and his wife Henrietta who lived at Clouds Hill, Dorset as neighbours of Lawrence Vicar of the West Purbeck Benefice
of Arabia. Lawrence who served with R.A.F. for 12 years and was a known and Rural Dean of Purbeck
enthusiast for the service, obviously encouraged the sons of the Knowles’ as three
served in the R.A.F.
Arthur Knowles, his father, served in the First World War and was involved with the
very first tank operation at Cambrai, being decorated. He suffered gas poisoning
when helping colleagues and died prematurely aged 48 as a consequence.

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