Freda Daniels was not quite 3 years old when she was dressed up to sell poppies in 1929. She was born April 13th 1927. The photograph of her sitting has '3 years old' written on the back.
When she married she became Mrs Freda Bradley.

When American servicemen were sent over in 1942 to help with the war against the Nazis, they were issued with guidelines on how to behave and what to expect when they came to the UK. This booklet, here reproduced in hard back, is reproduced from the original typescript by the War Department, Washington DC. The purpose of the guide "... is to start getting you acquainted with the British, their country, and their ways." Headings in the booklet are:-

No time to fight old wars
British reserved, not unfriendly
Don't be a show off
The British are tough
Age instead of size
Remember there's a war on
Britain the cradle of democracy
The people - their customs and manners
The British like sports
Indoor amusements
Keep out of arguments
Britain at war - the British came through
Waste means lives
British Women at war
Some hints on British words
Weights and measures
Important Do's and Don'ts
Table of currency
It is always impolite to criticise your hosts; it is militarily stupid to criticise your allies

Brian Woodward told me "The Yanks was good to us at The Signals Camp. Wanted to play darts in the pubs and always insisted on buying the beer as they had more money. Invited once a month to their Jazz club on the base and paid for everything. Invited to a concert which was held in a hanger by the then Air Force Of Note band which was the follow on from Glen Miller band. Concert due to finish at 11pm they would not let the band leave the stage and it ended at 1am. What a night. They also liked the Buckland dances as well, but that's another story.

"If I remember right the Buckland Dances was on a Monday or Wednesday. A coach from Witney carrying mainly girls from Smiths Industries picked us up at the town square about 7 o' clock. First we visited The Lamb in Buckland for lubrication and then on to the village hall. T he dances was well attended and when the Yanks found out they attended. One night a fight broke out between the Yanks and some Farringdon lads and the American Snowdrops (Military Police) was soon there to sort it out with their long batons. One shilling and sixpence, 7.1/2 pence today and a beer or two for a great night out dancing to a trio with a partner that you held and could talk to.

"We also had Camp Dances about every 3 months that was well attended. I remember John "Tazz" Winn finding Sergeant - Major Fred O Conner's wallet on the floor and Fred wanted to buy Tazz a drink. Tazz never drank, but to be sociable he asked for a Port and Lemon. 'I wont buy one of my soldiers that' so Tazz asked for a Babycham. Fred gave up. Great days."

"The crest on the lighter is that of the USAF 5th Air Force that has been based in the Pacific since 1942. Brize Norton air base was handed to the USAF in 1951 and returned to the RAF in 1965.

These are photographs of Major Robert Colvile starting with one when he was about 3 years old

Photos of the Military Funeral of Jason Mackie held in St. Mary's Church Bampton on 4th June 2009.
Reverend Philip Francis took the service. PDF includes letter of condolence from Prince Philip, Captain General Royal Marines. and a letter from the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and the order of service.

Special Edition for 75th Anniversary of VE Day. Articles about how people celebrated VE Day at the end of the War 2 in and around Oxford.

Private William Johnson Ox & Bucks Light Infantry 5th Battalion 10677 A Company. His granddaughter Pamela Smith has put together these items.

William was the first young man in Bampton to volunteer and the town awarded him a clock for this. He was also the first soldier to be awarded the Military Medal. This account by Pamela recounts his battles, the conditions, Christmas and much more.

Only five different medals were struck during the war and William was award four.

A newspaper account of the home-coming of William January 1916. William had already been award the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in the field for recovering lieutenant Wood. He was met at Bampton & Brize Norton station by Mr Alfie Bryant in a car kindly lent by Mr Collett. A rapturous welcome awaited him in Bampton and he was presented with a handsome marble clock inscribed "Presented by friends in Bampton to Pte William Johnson O.B.L.I. on being awarded the DCM for gallantry in action 1915.

RAF Bampton Castle - a brief history

With almost 2 million refugees from the war in Ukraine and many more still desperately trying to get out of the country, a sale was held in the Village Hall on Saturday March 12th 2022 to raise funds to purchase essential items for these desperate people.