Before the war

Southwold 1938

This film introduces John, Doris, and their children Jean and Sheila. They drive in a Ford car VW6741 from their home in Pinner to stay in a small house near the beach at Easton Bavents, north of Southwold. They enjoy the sand, swimming, kite flying and cricket on the beach. The film shows the Southwold church, lighthouse, promenade, pier and the river Blythe. The first visitors were Madge with teenage daughters Margaret and Jean Reynolds. Later visitors include (5:00) Gran, with Reg and Amy and family. Grandpa appears soon after.

Cornwall August 1939

Two cars arrive in Holywell Bay near Newquay: the Lanchester CNO 763 driven by John, and a Ford V8 Pilot driven by Reg for a joint holiday in Cornwall. The film shows Sheila and Richard enjoying the sandy beach while Jean, John A and boy X (friend of John A?) paddle in a nearby stream. The views of the beach, the rolling waves and the surrounding cliffs are beautiful. The film ends abruptly (as did the holiday) with a newspaper clip: “WAR”.

Note: 3rd September 1939, PM Neville Chamberlain announced on BBC Radio that Britain and Germany were at war.

The main actors

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Florence and Ebenezer Smith (Gran and Grandad): Amy, Margaret (Madge), John (1903), Florence.

Mary and Charles Allen (Grandma and Grandpa): Reg, Horace,  Doris (1907), Pat.

Find a photo of this family!

John and Doris Allen: married 3 Sept 1932. Jean (1934), Sheila (1938), Peter (1944), Christine (1945)

Amy and Reg Allen: John A (1930) and Richard (1938)