Another of Bill’s post-war hobbies was breeding and showing Budgies and he reared more than one world champion. He built a large aviary in the garden of 29 Derwent Avenue after he bought his father out of the equity share in the house in 1946. The odour of cordite on his uniform may have given his daughter Chris a love of the smell but the aviary gave her a lifetime fear of birds. However this in no way stopped her from winning a scholarship to Sadlers Wells School and from dancing in the Royal Ballet. His son Gerald “Ged”
was born at the house in 1952.

During his days locked away in PoW camps, Bill
dreamt of having his own house built and he
produced several designs, some of which were
recorded in his wartime log. In 1960 the dreams
became reality when he and Flo acquired some
land on Robincroft Road, Allestree and had the
bungalow Little Orchard built to his specifications.
His paintings and sculptures adorned the place as
he never lost his passion and flair for art.

Sadly, Bill passed away at Little Orchard in
December 1982 at the age of 66.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All Good in Allestree
Returning prisoners were given three months leave and provided with travel warrants to return to families prior
to being demobilised.
Bill was repatriated with Flo, Chris, his parents and sister Beatie at their home in Allestree but never overcame
the uncertainty, desolation and instability of being a PoW, rather seeking security in his family, work and
community. He went back to his old job at British Rail and worked there in paint research until he retired in
1980.
He was a very active man and played centre half for several local football teams, ending up as captain of Allestree FC. Under his leadership they
won the Medal Competition in 1957-58 and were runners-up in the Foxley Cup in 1959. And they may have won more that is now either forgotten
or the records lost.
Bill was known for being a gentle man but once on the football field his persona changed and he became a fearsome competitor.

Flo and Bill in later life at Little Orchard with one of Bill’s abstract paintings in the background




Epilogue


My Dad was far from being the only one who suffered in WW2, and many were much worse off, but his closely

balanced friendship with Sid and his love for his family carried him through the severe hardships and privations.

Perhaps it was modesty combined with the awful memories that prevented him from talking openly about his

achievements and the part he played in securing freedom from Hitler. Whatever his reasons, he would never

have agreed to this publication.