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OverviewClifford Davies was brought up in the village of Wroxham in the Norfolk Broads in the early years of the last century, the youngest child of the village schoolmaster. He enjoyed a childhood of extraordinary happiness and security. There was boating and swimming in the River Bure, which still ran crystal clear (the Broads had not yet become a holiday mecca). There were summer picnics on the river, messing about in (and with) boats and games of pirates and explorers. At home there was a great deal of music, singing and amateur dramatics. But life was not easy. For two years during the First World War, eight-year-old Clifford and his older brother had to work seven days a week looking after the cattle on a farm because the labourer had been called up. There was tragedy too; Clifford could never forget the day in 1917 when his mother received a letter to say that the eldest boy, away fighting in France, had been killed in the trenches. In later years the Church beckoned, and Clifford went on to a career as a Naval chaplain where he served both at home and abroad, in ships and shore bases, from 1936 until 1962. He was awarded the OBE (Military) in 1942 for his efforts to boost and maintain morale on board HMS Despatch, sailing in the Pacific, isolated and out of touch with UK. In 1959 he was appointed Honorary Chaplain to HM the Queen. But memories of those first golden years always drew him back to his childhood. In 1971 he wrote The Four Poplars as a memoir of those times and a tribute to the village where he had known such happiness. The trees of the title, which stood by the spot where Clifford and his chums used to bathe, were a landmark which stayed with him throughout his life. Forty years on and 31 years after his death in 1980 at the age of 74, Clifford Davies' family have resurrected his manuscript and entrusted it to Memoirs Books to edit and publish. It is an enchanting story of an England which has long gone. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Reverend Clifford Davies, OBE , Chris NewtonPublisher: Memoirs Publishing Imprint: Memoirs Publishing Dimensions: Width: 16.60cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 24.40cm Weight: 0.350kg ISBN: 9781908223197ISBN 10: 1908223197 Pages: 206 Publication Date: 10 July 2011 Audience: General/trade , General Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: To order Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us. Table of ContentsCHAPTER 1 A unique village Page 1 CHAPTER 2 My family Page 11 CHAPTER 3 Summer picnic Page 19 CHAPTER 4 The Schoolhouse Page 28 CHAPTER 5 The Caen Meadow Page 43 CHAPTER 6 The village school Page 54 CHAPTER 7 Rights of way Page 72 CHAPTER 8 St Mary's Church Page 88 CHAPTER 9 Singing and ringing Page 108 CHAPTER 10 Down the Avenue Page 122 CHAPTER 11 To be a farmer's boy Page 135 CHAPTER 12 Play time Page 150 CHAPTER 13 The passing of the wherrymen Page 172 CHAPTER 14 'The rivers of the flood thereof' Page 187ReviewsAuthor InformationClifford Davis served as a Naval Chaplain both at home and abroad, in ships and shore bases, from 1936 until 1962. He was awarded the OBE (Military) in 1942 for his efforts to boost and maintain morale on board HMS Despatch, sailing in the Pacific, isolated and out of touch with UK. In 1959 he was appointed Honorary Chaplain to HM the Queen. But those first golden years of his life in the Norfolk Broads always drew him back to his childhood. In 1971 he wrote The Four Poplars as a memoir of those times and a tribute to the village where he had known such happiness. The trees of the title, which stood by the spot where Clifford and his chums used to bathe, were a landmark, which stayed with him throughout his life. In 1943 Clifford married Joan Guy, who was serving with the WRNS at ITCRM, Lympstone where he was the Naval padre. They had six children, three boys and three girls. One boy, Simon, died in infancy. After leaving the Royal Navy in 1962, Clifford held several church posts, including Truro Cathedral, St Andrew's Church Coulsdon, St Mary's Episcopal Church Aberfoyle and finally Holy Trinity Church, Keith. Forty years on and 31 years after his death in 1980 at the age of 74, Clifford Davies' family have resurrected his manuscript and entrusted it to Memoirs Books to edit and publish. It is an enchanting story of an England which has long gone. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |