Letters 2005

Alfred Priestley

Dear Nick,

Just a response to a couple of items in last year’s OC Newsletter.

Tommy Everett

I was very sorry to hear of her death because she played an important part in life at Charlton Marshall, beginning as a young housekeeper/matron. At the time we all thought that ‘Hefty’ Everett was a confirmed bachelor, and so we were very surprised on starting a new term to find that Tommy was our new headmaster’s wife.
As one of the four team leaders I was privileged to have Sunday breakfast with them. On one occasion I earned a quiet rebuke from Tommy whilst I was explaining that we wormed the family bulldog in the holidays. It seemed a very interesting matter to me, but Tommy obviously thought that it didn’t go well with toast and marmalade. I can’t think why!

Charlie Banfield

George Brookbank writes about our RSM and his stories, and I am sure we are all glad to discover the location of Armednuggar. My own memories are of Charlie marching up and down our lines, bulging chest restrained by a highly polished brown belt, holding his swagger stick, and intoning (if that is the right word) “I have never seen anything like that in all my life”. Our turnout was obviously not up to his standards.

He was a kind friendly character who introduced us to elementary army ways during the war, and will be remembered by many OCs with affection.

Best wishes

Alfred Priestley (37-40, 40-45)