21/05/2026
MEMORIES OF FRIENDSHIPS MADE THROUGH WAR
This amazing document was recently acquired by the Museum to add to its collection.
This is the guest book from 68, The Drive, Kingsley, Northampton from 1940-1945. The owners, Mr & Mrs Messenger offered billets to RAF (and other personnel) who trained at RAF Sywell during the War. They came from all over the world and clearly the Messengers gave them a very warm welcome. The deciphered names are as below:
SEPT 1939 – AUG 1940 PETER ? 15/19TH THE KING'S ROYAL HUSSARS
JAN19- 24 1943 TWO WAAF LADIES ( JOYCE & NANCY )
APRIL 23 – MAY 7 1943 F/O JIMMY FISKE RAF
MAY 21 - JUNE 4 1943 P/O MONTY BANKS RAF
JUNE 11 - 18 1943 P/O TED WEBSTER P/O RAF
JUNE 26 – JULY 9 1943 P/O JOHN DICKINSON RAF
JULY 9 - 22 1943 P/O JACK ? P/O RCAF
JANUARY 11 FEB - 14 1944 TED BARRATT [1816888 AJG]
FEB 25 – NOV 17 1944 P/O JOHN A SCHOLEY RCAF
APRIL 1944 P/O DICK ?? RAF
NO DATE F/O BEN EDWARDS RAF
MAY 1944 TO JUNE 1944 F/O JOHN HAROLD JOHNSON RCAF
JUNE 44 TO JULY 44 F/O DAVE DAVIES RAF
3 AUGUST 44 P/O JOHN FRANCIS RAF
5 OCTOBER 1945 JOCK?
This is a lovely reminder that many civilians opened their homes to accept billeting servicemen a long way from their own countries and families during the War. We will be researching the names further in due course.
