Memories of John Rawle Feb 1947 July 1951 First of all I never thought I would ever be writing about my time at Carleton 60 years later. The way it came about is my sister Mary; she had a copy of Stan Briggs article of memories. This came as a big surprise to me as she had never spoken of them very much at all the reason for that I will let you know a little later. (Mary was called Rosie during our time in the homes as Mary was a very common name in those days) I was in for an even bigger shock later when I went to see her as she said she had a big surprise for me as her husband Brian had been playing about on his computer and low and behold Eastwell Lodge Carleton Homes came up with a list of names and she was in for a bigger shock as I told her names I had never forgotten.
My son Dennis heard what we were talking about and said he would look further into it for me and much to my surprise and his also he rang me the next morning at 8.30am to say that a Nigel Wrightson had been in touch with him and he would be getting in touch with me which me which he did later that afternoon. Also later that evening I received a call from a gentleman called Alan Burbidge and I remembered him as he said when he first arrived at the homes he cried a lot with being so young. He was given a nickname which turned out to be given to Alan by yours truly me and that name was cry baby Bur. We both had a good laugh about that. Then the next night I received a call from George Wrigglesworth and he explained to me about the reunions which are held in early spring at Pontefract so come 2012 I hope I will be able to join in and see you all. George asked me if I was in favour of writing about my time at Carleton so I will try my best and I hope I don t bore you all too much, so here goes:-
Firstly let me say I enjoyed my time in Carleton but I am sorry to say my sisters Sylvia and Mary ( Rosie ) it was the complete opposite as we were split up with me going to Carleton and my sisters were sent to a girls home called Hope House in Balby, Doncaster which they said was not a nice place. They stayed there for about 18 months then they shut the home down. My late sister Sylvia and her Husband Mike tried to find out what happened to it but it just seemed to vanish so if anyone has any information or knows what happened to it please let me know. When arriving at Carleton one dark night absolutely terrified I was put into home 3. On arrival I had to have a bath then get kitted out with my homes clothes school play Sunday suit shoes plimsoll s, I have never seen so many clothes plus a black mack and best of all my black and green snake belt which I kept until my thirties. Also 3 meals a day what more could you want and on top of that your own bed, hot and cold water and central heating plus 13 brothers what a welcome when I came face to face with them.
March 1949 I was told to go and report to Matron, I went wondering what I had done wrong only to get a big surprise as sitting in the office were my 2 sisters from Hope House which not before time had been shut down. Lots of tears were shed happy tears not sad as we were back together. The 2 girls went into home 4 where Miss Randall was the main carer and it was due to her that my youngest sister Mary Rosie made a quick recovery after the bad time she experienced in Hope House. Things I remember the Most The large floor bumper. Christmas time - Hymns, carols and going into the other homes which does not happen very often. Playing cards, Bagatelle, snooker, in H.Q. quizzes which we played in the winter. Summer time was the best football, cricket, races, hop scotch, swings and we all mixed in together, I remember painting a set of wickets on the wall of the home 1 and we used to bowl from the shed end where the swings were.
At one stage we were allowed to keep pet rabbits at the back of the old air raid shelters, unfortunately this did not last long as all the rabbits vanished all at once. Some of the boys joined the scouts at Ponte complete with big hats. Holidays at Skegness YMCA Winthorpe, remember the Karkie shirts and shorts not the Hawaiian shirts of the 60 s and 70 s. The vicar Mr Mercer a very kind man and I was an altar boy. School was Ponte Boys School and I enjoyed school football, cricket, P.T., metalwork and fives and one of our boys Harry (Bonner) Shaw won the school championship which I think was in 1949? He was also the school goalkeeper. Teachers I remember:- Miss Jones Music 3B form master Mr Smithie (Plug ) Mr Wilkinson Maths Mr Leach Arts & Craft Mr Hill Football & PT Mr Knapman History& English The last 2 being my favourite. Mr Humble (Headmaster)
Mr Hill ran the school football team and me being football mad even up to today I really took to him, the result being myself and my best pal in the homes Johny Jones played every match in 1950 1951 the school were unbeaten that year with me on the left wing and Johny on the right wing. Johny Jones was also the fastest runner in the school winning the 100 yards and 200 yards He also had a fantastic voice what a singer. Mr Knapman played cricket for Carleton and some of us went to watch them sometimes and I used to do the score book for the team. Also whilst at school some of the girls and boys from Ponte School went to Patley Bridge a summer school for 2 weeks. Well I am sorry that s about all for the time being but this is one lad who loved being called one of the Carleton Homers. Lots of love to you all John Rawle