I’m afraid I cannot help very much with items for the history since in many aspects my knowledge is very abnormal, for the following reasons:-
1. Before West Downs I was at Lockers Park, Hemel Hempstead but lived in Argyll, and travelling in Wartime at start and end of Term was tricky.
2. But with West Downs evacuating to Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire, my travel became much easier, and from here I moved to RNC Dartmouth which at this time was evacuated to Bristol.
3. I was very lucky to get a slot into West Downs due to this being the “right” side of the Border! The other main “Education” for me was an introduction to The Boy Scout Movement, which totally new to me, and which I enjoyed very much: with this early experience we can welcome Scout Camps on the Estate here most Summers.
J.A.P. Coats.