Page 22 • The HERALD • 15th February 2024 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v WESTWOOD BUILDING BUILDING & LANDSCAPING WE ARE A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE BASED IN THE NEW FOREST. WE OFFER FREE QUOTATIONS AND ADVICE WHAT WE DO: • PATIOS • DRIVEWAYS AND BLOCK PAVING • GROUND WORKS • BRICK WORK • EXTENTIONS • GARAGE CONVERSIONS • CHIMNEY REPAIRS • ALTERATIONS • WE OFFER A FULL PLANNING AND DESIGN SERVICE TO SUIT YOUR PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS • FREE ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WORKMANSHIP Call: 07725 002162 Email: westwoodbuilding@outlook.com • Foxhills, Ashurst, SO40 7ED Internal & External Decorating Wallpapering & Dustless Sanding FULLY INSURED MARK 1 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONAL PAINTER & DECORATOR REFURBISHERS ALWAYS TRY TO MEET YOUR BUDGET RELIABLE! EXCELLENT REFERENCES! INSURED! Catalogue of previous works to view Plaster work • Floor & Wall Tiling • Wall removal • Bathroom Design & Fit • Laminate/Wood Flooring • Painting • Insulation • Decking • PVCu Gutter & Fascia OUR HANDYMAN SERVICES • Rubbish clearance • Gutters • Jet washing conservatories, paths and patios • Flat pack assembly • Van removals • NO JOB TOO SMALL • FIXED PRICES • WRITTEN QUOTATIONS P Strus 07414 779083 Email: p.strus7@gmail.com MY NEIGHBOUR, THE GROUP CAPTAIN by Robin Somes, Fawley and Blackfield Memories One hot summer’s day in the far-off 1970’s, I was sitting in a hedge, as small boys sometimes do, by Sundial Cottage in Badminston Drove. I don’t recall exactly why, but I had my go-kart with me, and it had fallen apart in the grassy ditch nearby, so I sat in the shade to think on my next move. Along came a gentleman, hunched and incredibly ancient (so it seemed to me; he was in his early 70’s), in a cream linen suit and Panama hat; he noticed the wreckage of the go-kart, and said, kindly, “Hmm, whose wheels are these?” I can’t remember what I said, but after exchanging greetings, we both went about our respective business. Continuing his training, Michael qualified in Specialist Engineering, and rose through the ranks; from Squadron Leader in 1938 he was promoted to Wing Commander in 1940, and in 1941 to Group Captain in the RAF Technical Branch (Engineers). Early in 1942, he was stationed in Java, commanding No. 153 Maintenance Unit, and shortly after was enmeshed in the Battle of Java, which ended with the Allied surrender on 12th March. On 8th May, he was taken prisoner. In December 1942, he was among a group of captured officers transported from Java to Japan, and he spent the rest of the war imprisoned, eventually being released on 10th September 1945. His son Derek had followed him into the RAF in 1943; tragically, he was killed in a flying accident in Scotland in November that year, aged only 20, when the plane he was piloting crashed into a hillside in low cloud. He had been married less than six months. There is little evidence of Michael’s post-war activities, but soon after the war, the couple moved to Sundial Cottage. Michael’s wife Alice died in 1982, and Michael himself in 1985, aged 86. In 1940, their daughter Brenda had married David Cecil McKinley – whose own remarkable life we looked at in the previous article – and the McKinleys also later came to live in Sundial Cottage. A neatly circular little tale. I knew quite well who he was – my next-door neighbour - but I think this was my only face-to-face encounter with Group Captain Michael Walter Crang Ridgway, RAF veteran and former Japanese POW. Born in 1899, he was the son of a jeweller, Walter Ridgway, and Alice Crang. He spent his early years in London, and trained as an engineer. In February 1920 he married Marjorie Alice Bezance Gilbert and later that year the couple had their first child, Brenda. In July the same year, Michael had enlisted in the RAF; by 1921 he was a Flying Officer. In 1923, a son, Derek, was born. Michael Ridgway’s Japanese POW card, issued in 1942 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AGE CONCERN NEW FOREST CHARITY SHOPS IN DIBDEN PURLIEU Age Concern New Forest are looking for Volunteers to help at their main Charity Shop and new Children’s of a local friendly independent charity that provides local services for local older people please contact Age Concern New Forest. You can call in and see the shop managers, Caroline and Nicola, for more details and to pick up an application form, or phone the Age Concern New Forest Office on: 023 8084 1199. poverty. The Charity collects good quality pre-loved items which are cleaned and where necessary checked for safety before being distributed to families, with children up to 5 years old, who find it difficult to buy basic needs. For more information visit: babynecessities.co.uk Romsey & Waterside Lions Club recently gave a donation to ‘Baby Necessities’ in Romsey which is a nonprofit Charity created to alleviate child Lions Donate to Baby Necessities Hayleigh Jarvis of ‘Baby Necessities’ receives cheque from Lion Treasurer Sandra Trowbridge Shop in Dibden Purlieu. The opening hours are 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays. Morning or afternoon shifts are available. If you can spare a few hours and want to learn new skills, meet people and be part Age Concern New Forest’s main charity shop
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