Page 34 • The HERALD • 14th November 2024 v FOR GOOD ADVICE, ASK YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v Call Richard on 07554 421544 or 023 8178 8299 PEST CONTROL All aspects of control and treatment undertaken including: Rodents, Insects, Moles, Wasps, Birds and Property Proofing Licensed waste removal of all types of waste Local Friendly Family Run Business • Fully Trained & Insured WILLIS DECORATING & JOINERY SERVICES Est Since 1986 Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating Wallpaper Hanging Hand-painted Kitchens & Spray Finishes Wardrobes, Bookcases, Radiator Covers Call David on 023 8084 9800 or 07946 048261 E: david.willis24@btinternet.com HOW CALSHOT WELCOMED ‘THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE FROM THE LONELIEST ISLAND IN THE WORLD’ by Marc Heighway Marc hosts monthly local history talks, visit: nfhwa.org/events for details. e British Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in the world. Its closest inhabited neighbour is the island of Saint Helena, which is more than 1,500 miles away. Due to the remoteness, the people of Tristan da Cunha have had to develop a self-su cient lifestyle, growing their own food and maintaining an economy based on traditional subsistence farming and shing. But this peaceful way of life was shattered on 10th October 1961, when a volcanic eruption rocked the island, forcing the evacuation of all 262 residents. Men, women, and children were picked up by lobster shing boats before being transferred to a Dutch place to house 262 people, particularly due to its seaside location, which was considered a positive point for the islanders. Dubbed by the press as “the forgotten people from the loneliest island in the world,” the families were moved into sixty-four empty houses in the old married quarters. e former RAF accommodation block and road were renamed “Tristan Close” in their honour. e women were given lectures on using electric cookers rather than para n or oil stoves and shown how to use washing machines and electric irons. e men were taught the basics of electrical work they might need to do around the house. Eighteen children were enrolled at Hardley Secondary School in Holbury, while twenty-two of the younger ones started at Black eld Primary. Many of the adults found work in the area, with employment at places such as the Beaulieu Motor Museum, a boat builder in Hythe, and a food-processing rm in Lymington. e islanders were welcomed with open arms by most of the local community, though there was one frightening incident in which an elderly passenger ship bound for Cape Town, South Africa, a journey of 1,730 miles. A er a short stay in Cape Town, all the islanders were placed on an ocean liner bound for England, arriving in Southampton on 3rd November 1961. A er a brief stay at Pendell Army Camp in Surrey, the evacuees were transferred to the former RAF Calshot on 23rd January 1962. e base had closed just a few months earlier in April 1961 and so was an ideal islander was assaulted and robbed. eir traditional way of life was now over, and it was a huge culture shock. Many of them also became sick due to the unusually harsh winter temperatures in January 1962 and exposure to u infections they had not encountered at home. Despite the inevitable challenges of settling into a foreign land, several of the younger women met their future husbands whilst on nights out in the Waterside and New Forest area. e volcano on Tristan da Cunha was eventually deemed safe, and a ballot was held in Calshot in December 1962 on whether to return to the island. e community overwhelmingly voted in favour of returning, with just ve votes against Islanders arriving at Southampton 1961 Islander Joseph Glass at Calshot in January 1963 Continued on page 35 Islander Frank Glass begins his journey back home in 1963
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