Some Memories of Markyate during the 2nd World War.

Geoffrey L. Spary

From War & the Three Villages Produced by the Flamstead & Kensworth History Groups and the Markyate Local History Group, 1995

The troubled years of 1937-38 when Hitler’s idea of world domination was appearing, we as a nation started to make preparations for our own safety.

There was the formation of the A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions). Mr Tom Skeggs was the Chief Warden, this was formed I believe in 1938.

I was a messenger boy along with Gordon Sweetland and others. Gas masks were on issue, horrific things, you had a job to breathe and if you were doing anything strenuous the eyepiece would steam up so you couldn’t see where you were going.

Now in Home Guard

I always remember the firs bomb I ever heard come down, Sgt. Field, Mac and myself were on a road block at the top of Pickford Road, near Bonds Row. A plane was overhead; there was a long swishing noise, then Frank and Mac laying with their stomachs off the ground to avoid internal damage. Me! Standing up. When they got up, I laid down.

Once a fortnight we used to go to Wheathampstead for unarmed combat training and very useful it was too. An instructor and his six year old son; don’t laugh at the six year old, he could throw any man twice as big as himself, no problem, he was good. After being thrown about and learning a lot we used to adjourn to the Cherry Tree pub to recover.

Hertfordshire Local Studies, WW2 Yellow Folder 2

This page was added on 02/04/2020.

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  • My nan used to run the grocers shop next to the old postoffice there. I have fond memories of that shop but no photos which I would love to show my grandchildren. The shop was taken over later and the post office extended. Do you have any information that you can give me.

    By Karen evans (21/02/2024)
  • My maiden name is Spary and I have been doing the family tree since 1993. My links with Markyate are very strong with my grandfather, Walter Spary being born there in the late 1800s. My family moved to the village from Wiltshire approx 1800.
    I am trying to purchase a copy of “I Remember Markyate” but have not been very successful. If anyone can help, I would be very grateful.

    By Dianne (31/01/2024)
  • Russell Smith, My granddad worked at Watling street filling station on the A5 as a lad of about 14 about 1910. His name was Charles Severn.

    By Suzannah Caroline White (15/06/2021)
  • My Dad, Joe Smith was in Markyate Home Guard during the war. I have a photo of the ‘platoon’. I can send a copy if someone contacts me. I recognise the surnames of Skeggs and Spary from some of my father’s tales.
    In fact, I believe somewhere along the line I am related to the Skeggs family. My grandfather, Russell Perry ran a grocers shop in the village and started the Filling station by the M1 roundabout.

    By Russell Smith (29/05/2020)