Wartime
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The Royal Observer Corps
The following article was written by Joe Hagger who was one of the village cobblers or shoe-makers and lived in the cottage that faces the green next to The Red Cow. (This article is published as written and the language reflects the time at which Mr Hagger was writing.) The Royal Observer Corps Oct 3rd…
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Bryan Rogers: childhood in Chrishall and the outbreak of WWII
(Pictured above: Dot and Charlie Rogers with sons Leonard and Bryan and daughter Gwen. Dot’s mother “Nan-Nan” Rush. Mr and Mrs Jim Archer, friends from Saffron Walden. On holiday in Frinton, last week of August 1939 just before WWII was declared.) Who am I? I was born in Chrishall, but I’m not sure where! It…
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Chrishall Observation Post
On the corner of Hertford Lane, is Chrishall Observation Post. It is a concrete structure, fairly substantial but also fairly well hidden in the undergrowth and hedging that grew up around it. The article below, written by Stephen Foote for the village magazine, outlines its purpose. _____________________________________ Not recorded on County or District databases – but listed…
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Village Green 1940s
Photograph from the Bruce Drury Collection View from Church road towards Martenholme in the 1940s or early 1950s. Note the (red & white?) kerbs – was this a wartime safety measure? The gates you can see in the centre of the picture were apparently, at one time, the entrance to where Will Brand had his workshop. …
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The time of my life – Chrishall, 1939-42
Evacuee Norman Sherry tells us about his time in Chrishall during the Second World War (taken from an article sent to Mrs Cranwell in 2002). Norman arrived with a group of 14 children who were evacuees in the village. His memories are still very clear of the enjoyable time he had. So if you are…
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War Memorial
The War Memorial without railings: October 2015 World War I – 1914 – 1918 Chrishall lost eight men in the First World War and another 45 villagers are listed on a board in the Church as serving their country in one way or another. Many of these names can be found on the 1911 Census.…
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Chrishall Civil Defence Corps
Chrishall Civil Defence Corps in Jigneys Meadow: The Civil Defence Corps was a volunteer organisation first set up by the Home Office in 1935 as Air Raid Precautions. It’s name was changed to the Civil Defence Service in 1941. It included air wardens, firemen, fire watchers, rescue and stretcher services should they be needed. The…
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Home Guard
In WWII everyone in the village was involved in the war effort whether it was making jam or manning the Observation Post at the top of the village, this important duty being carried out by the Home Guard. The full Platoon and Chrishall Division can be seen below, and a local picture in the village, Chrishall…