I have another little memory from my childhood in Chandler’s Ford prompted by a very old photo of Station Lane in Chandler’s Ford.
I remember there was a Mills’ family. They had moved down from Bootle in Liverpool. Mr Mills was I think in the The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) during World War Two, but he was in the St. John Ambulance brigade.
Mr Mills persuaded me and two other boys from Station Lane to join the cadets, and we passed our basic First Aid exams and would go to small events, such as fetes, fairs, local football matches etc., as first aid cover.
During my time in the cadets a rally was held at Portsmouth, on Southsea common. It was a big event for all the St. John cadets throughout the country and we were inspected by HRH Princess Margaret, who was then Commandant in Chief of all cadets.
I found the programme and 2 small photos of some of our Chandler’s Ford / Eastleigh group.
In the photo below, I’m third from left back row (2nd cadet in). On the far right in the back row, that is Mr Mills who was our Supt. who lived in Station Lane in Chandler’s Ford.
In this group photo of four, I am second from left, although I cannot remember any of the names of the other cadets or that of the other leader in the photo.
Related posts by Roger White:
- Memories of Station Lane, Chandler’s Ford
- Where is “The Parade” in Chandler’s Ford? Memories from my 1950s Childhood
- Roger White: My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley
I was in the Boys’ Brigade in the early 1950’s but in Sheffield. Our Superintendant was always out of breath and had a terrible cough. He had been gassed in WWI which had left him with scarred lungs. Those ex-service guys who helped us youngsters were heros.
Would that have been Walter Mills? He later held a County position for St John Ambulance (County Director, possibly) – though he had retired long before I joined. He was still known, and respected, by SJA in the area and we would see him around from time to time. Last time I met him he was living in Valley Park. He died a few years ago – possibly ten or so, though may have been more.
Yes Robert it was Walter Mills. I think he was a Captain in the RAMC during the war and he lived just opposite me. Both he and his wife were very nice. I seem to remember that she was also involved with the nursing cadets as well.
I think Mr Mills was full time in the SJA and may have been why they moved down from Bootle to Hampshire. Quite a change I imagine from Liverpool to 1950’s Chandler’s Ford. I lost touch when I joined the Royal Navy at 15.
Thank you for your kind comments about Walter and Eveline Mills, my Mum and Dad.
To set the record straight, on moving to Chandler’s Ford from Lancashire, my father’s work was as a Civil Defence Training Officer specifically for rescue and first aid. Later he founded Eastleigh Council of Community Service and continued to develop this work until he retired.
He was made a Knight of St John, a very high honour, for his SJA work and was also made a Citizen of Honour for Eastleigh for his voluntary work in the town.
Hilary Young
Many thanks for your comment with the new details about Mr and Mrs Mills.
I’ve followed your clue and found on the Eastleigh Borough Council site that Mr Mills was made Citizen of Honour for Eastleigh in 1989.
All my best wishes
Janet
Hilary,
Hello, thanks for your comment. Yes I remember now you have said your Dad worked in Civil Defence. I can remember you I think you were a bit younger than me, next door to you was the James family and I lived across the lane in Fordington Villas. I remember your Mum and Dad very well helped us a lot when we had our first aid exams etc, still have my certificates, one signed by your Dad. They were really happy times, great fun going to the different venues etc, sadly my first aid skills have lapsed over time!
I was thrilled to see the references to the 1956 cadet rally and especially the programme, and the info about Walter Mills who I remember very well. He and Bob Harris were the two key personalities in Hampshire and they both delivered a Brigade Instructors Course at Havant in 1971 on which I was a student.
I am currently writing about the recipients of the American Cup for Gallantry one of which was presented by Princess Margaret at Southsea and I would love to see a scanned copy. I can be contacted via First Aid History Group on Facebook.