EXTRACT FROM BOOK WRITTEN BY IAN LESLIE, OLD WYKEHAMIST, ON THE HISTORY OF THE CROWN AND MANOR.
We thought this part of Ian’s book would be pertinent at the time when we are remembering the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
“THE CROWN AND MANOR
IS BORN
The first Nazi bombs fell on England on the 11th August 1940
and life in London and in many cities and towns underwent a radical change. Not least in Hoxton, recipient of a good deal of
attention from German aircraft as they made their way up the Thames to the heart of the City. Raids became an almost nightly
event, not surprisingly bringing many of the activities at Wiltshire Row to a stop. The enforced interruption of normal life
and general confusion following on partial breakdown of communications – roads primarily – but also telephones and postal services
and interruption in food supplies delivery6 – were sufficient in themselves to keep away some of the boys living at a distance from
the Club.
A postscript to the Annual Report of 1939 – 40 written by Arthur Llewellyn Smith, gives a picture of how the Club coped. Dated 28th September 1940 it runs:
‘As we go to press, London has withstood three weeks of continuous night bombardment …..Hoxton
has had its full share, especially in the first week. Latterly the chief brunt of the attacks seems to have fallen elsewhere,
though each morning, fresh gaps appear in the rows of houses. One little boy, Sidney Murray – a newly-joined member – lost his
life when his Anderson shelter was blown up on the night of 11th September; and a few of the boys are temporarily homeless through
air raid damage and unexploded bombs……The Settlement and the Club have so far escaped damage, apart from the slight effects of an
incendiary bomb which penetrated the Club roof one night and burnt out harmlessly on the gymnasium floor. Hoxton, in common with the
rest of London, is bearing up wonderfully under changed conditions and is coming to regard them as part of the day’s work.
At
the Club, attendance has naturally fallen but we have 20 or 30 boys regularly every night. We have of course, had to adapt the
Club programme to the new situation. We hope to continue with week-end activities such as football But in the evenings,
we now open at 5.30 p.m. and members come as early as they can to get through some training in the gym before the sirens, or perhaps
have a run through the streets while daylight lasts. The hot showers now fulfil a greater need than ever before. Then
when the guns open up, we adjourn to the newly built shelter and carry on…..We have seized the opportunity to re-direct our energies
to forms of activity more directly connected with grim reality, such as classes in First Aid and the control of incendiary bombs.
With
the barrage at its present intensity, there is no question of going home to bed. Fortunately, the shelter seats are reasonably
comfortable. Boys bring their own blankets and doss down for the night under the care of Mr Read, who has taken up his quarters
in the Club, so as to be available in case of need.
The year ahead is likely to be strange. It is certainly uncharted;
but with the support of our friends we hope and expect to see the Club come out on top’”
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For the information
of old Club members who do not have the chance to visit the Club, we have a Quiet Room, which is used just for teaching and meetings. This room contains a Memorial Wall of photographs of all of our members and some of the Old Wykehamists who were killed in action
during the war.
We also have a Memorial Wall for the wonderful people who helped to create this magnificent club
We,
the staff and members of the Crown and Manor Club hold their memory in the deepest respect.
September 2009