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Geoff Garvey has provided some unique photos of Belmont during the Second World War years, and shortly after. There are also a few pics from Duke of Edinburgh Award treks in the sixties, including a great shot of a Silver Award Expedition setting off in that magic bus 1965?
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Geoff writes June 2001: "...Dom Hugh Menken was the history master during this period and he is the only survivor that I know of from the teaching staff at that time. He also trained us in the use of gas masks and was chief of the monastery Auxiliary Fire Service which did yeoman service during the war. We, of course, were delighted when the bombing in other parts of the country of nearby UK drew upon their expertise and our classes were suspended for a day or two."
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The Air Defence Cadet Corps, then the Army Cadet Force, later changed to the Combined Cadet Force. There was an Armory at the side of the Phillips Building, and there were stored dozens of WW1 Lee Enfield .303 rifles, Sten Guns and Bren Guns, as well as uniforms and assorted kit. Boots had to be polished to a mirror like shine, belts and gaiters blancoed, and brass buckles polished. There were route marches, thursday afternoon parades, we learned to read maps, estimate distances in order to bring down artillery fire, and even summer camps at Aldershot. Miscreants would be put on a charge which usually meant having to run around the place with a rifle held over your head. There was a rifle range at the far end of the sports field, which still exists I believe. In the early sixties Bro. Wilfred Chadwick who had been a Gurkha was an officer (Later housemaster of Kindersley), and we had a CSM from the SAS Barracks in Hereford. Fr Aelred Cousins was the CO, an intriguing character. In the early '60's we had our own special services, the SAS or special adventure section, which evolved into the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Was there a break-in of the Armory in the late sixties/early seventies? As the Northern Ireland troubles were starting, this might have led to the end of organised war games at Belmont.
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1st Platoon parade on the cricket pitch
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Maj. Gillespie takes the W.O Ceremonial Inspection Parade July 1947
Lt Col French takes the March Past July 1947
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This from Fr Aelred Cousins April 1963 courtesy Tony Dinwiddy |
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme was adopted in 1962 and became very popular, many adventures were had on treks through the Brecon Beacons and beyond...
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Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Award trek 1964 Captain Aelred takes a shave, while various wet lads including John Craven, David Huckle and Terry Donovan slope around mid Wales, also featured is the rear of Tony Aitken's Mini, 57 EWD, occasionally kept quietly at Belmont during '63-'64 for interesting excursions beyond the bounds!
Silver Award Trekkers Setting off 1965?
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