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Posted by Vicarshusband (U6051871) on Friday, 12th January 2007
There has been a certain amount of debate in the Sir Sidney Goodman thread on DTA about this. It has been asserted that Dan fought in the Spanish Civil War on the Republican side. Is this true?
VH
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Reggie Trentham (U7102122) on Friday, 12th January 2007
This is the first I've heard of it. George Barford had a relation who faught for the Spanish republic. I think he had a bit of a run in with Sir Sid about it.
No, it was Mike being flippant.
I did tell him ... would he listen?
Dan fought in the First World War, but his father died, and his Commanding Officer (a Lawson Hope, who owned the Estate from whom Dan rented Brookfield) sent him home. He was also in this reserved occupation during the Second World War.
Thank you RosieT. Hopefully that's stopped this becoming an urban (or should that be rural!) myth.
VH
, in reply to message 4.
Posted by Lizaveta Nikolaevna (U2265953) on Friday, 12th January 2007
A "rural myth"... I like that phrase!
No, Sir Sidney fought on the Nationalist (Franco's) side.
Dan didn't fight in that war but George Barford did - on the Republican side.
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by Lizaveta Nikolaevna (U2265953) on Friday, 12th January 2007
Good old George Barford. I always liked him.
Graham Roberts had such a lovely, soothing voice. I do miss him.
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by Reggie Trentham (U2746099) on Friday, 12th January 2007
Mr K, with respect, George Barford would have been about ten when the Spanish Civil war ended. What was he? A republican drummer boy?
Iirc it was his uncle or something who fought for the republicans.
Reggie
Like you I was a bit puzzled by Mr K's statement - after all the old boy only died a couple of years ago.
The family tree tells us that George was born in 1928. Civil War ended in 1939. So participation by George very unlikely.
[Actually this may well indicate the general confusion and ignorance concerning that event]
bob
, in reply to message 9.
Posted by Lizaveta Nikolaevna (U2265953) on Friday, 12th January 2007
Well, duh. I feel rather stupid now. If George's father /uncle fought in the war, perhaps he grew up hearing the stories?
Oh, dear, I've been found out! Dan was such a fair-minded chap he would probably fought for both sides ...
>Mr K, with respect, George Barford would have been about ten when the Spanish Civil war ended. What was he? A republican drummer boy? Iirc it was his uncle or something who fought for the republicans.
Sorry, more haste less speed. Yes you are right.
, in reply to message 3.
Posted by MeOlePalMeOleBeauty (U7492541) on Wednesday, 14th February 2007
I don't think Dan fought in the Great War. His brother John did but farmer Dan stayed at home. It caused friction between the boys. Then they fought over Doris and John left forever. I've got an ancient book somewhere with it in.
Dan did go to the front, but his father died, and he was sent back to take care of Brookfield (Dan's commanding officer was The Squire, who owned the tenanted farm). The novel was "To the Victor the Spoils."
, in reply to message 14.
Posted by EJ Morgan (U2233032) on Wednesday, 14th February 2007
I suppose it's the case that many Ambridge residents would have been in reserved occupations during WW2. Most of the military types who have featured in The Archers over the years have been either retired colonels who have moved into the village - e.g. Danby, or young tearaways sent to the forces to grow up a bit - Terry Barford.
You'd have to be as old as Bert Fry even to have done National Service.
what was right mr, k? an uncle or a something?
, in reply to message 16.
Posted by Keri Davies (U2219620) on Thursday, 15th February 2007
An uncle.
, in reply to message 17.
Posted by smarttedebear (U3614285) on Thursday, 15th February 2007
You could be a few years younger than Bert to have done National Service. The last men entered National Service in 1960 at the age of eighteen, so they would have been born in 1942. According to the characters list Bert was born in 1936. I only know this because my brother was born in 1944 and could see National Service ahead of him until it was discontinued.
Thanks for that. Bert is older than I thought. I once saw a fascinating documentary on Arena or Horizon or somewhere, about the last man to be called up for National Service, and the man who would have been next in line. The last man called up was none too pleased at the honour bestowed upon him and felt that generally he'd missed out on a couple of years of his life (not the impression people currently have of what NS must have been like). The first man to miss out seemed somewhat relieved. How attitudes change!
Sorry Smarttedebear, but as one who did National Service I must correct you on this point. The statutory cut-off birthdate for call-up was 30 September 1939 ie anyone born on 1 October 1939 or later had no liability for conscription. The same applied to those who although born prior to 1 October 1939 had obtained deferment for whatever reason. The very last batch of National Servicemen actually had to serve an extra six months due to the Berlin crisis but were finally demobbed in 1962.
, in reply to message 20.
Posted by smarttedebear (U3614285) on Friday, 16th February 2007
I don't quite understand, Tregorran. I can clearly remember my brother being worried while at Grammar School, about having to do his National Service. I looked this up on the internet and the Imperial War Museum stated that call up for National Service continued until 1960 and 18 year old males were liable for thsi call up. If this is so, then males born in 1942 would be eligible. As far as I understand it, National Service was extended after the war by an act of 1948. I, of course, bow to your greater knowledge on this. If, as you say my brother had no chance of being called up, I don't think I will tell him!
I can see how you arrived at the conclusion you did after obtaining the information from the War Museum site. However, the fact is that under the National Service Acts all males had to register for national service on attaining the age of 18. A medical examination followed and provided they were deemed fit for service they went back home and awaited call-up. When the government decided to end conscription they introduced the cut-off date of 1 October 1939 which I mentioned previously. From then on call-up was staggered accordingly so some chaps were around 21 when they finally got their papers. I can see that this might be a trifle difficult to follow but I hope what I have said helps.
I suggest you don't mention any of this to your brother! If he was born after 30 September 1939 there was never any possibility of his being required to do national service.
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