This drawing of the Gate House of Bampton Castle, more correctly Ham Court farmhouse, was created September 15th 1943.

Jack Langley Townsend on left in Egypt c1943 in RASC

This letter, dated November 1st 1944 was send by Stan Smith's commanding officer to Stan's father informing him that Stan was missing but may be a POW. He was a POW and near the end of the was became one of the POWs who took part in the what became known as the Long March. They were marched from East Germany keeping ahead of the advancing Russians. Stan walked almost 1,000 miles. He survived.

This is the Service program for the Thanksgiving Service for Victory held in 1945. As the service sheet was printed in London it was probably a standard service to be held across the UK

VJ Day Journal August 15th 1945

Poster asking for Clothing Donations for Liberated Europe,
Oxford Committee for Famine Relief
War Charities Act 1940
Printed by Hall the Printer Littlegate Oxford

Mummering has taken place in Bampton for at least 134 which is when Rev Giles mentions it in his book about Bampton. Don Rouse has written a far more up-to-date account which you'll find after the photographs.

On 28 November 1946 an Avro York MW168 belonging to the Transport Command Development Unit at RAF Brize Norton failed to become airborne and instead crashed on to the railway line between Brize Norton and Carterton stations, coming to rest in a field, as pictured. Needless to say the line was closed for several days while the RAF effected recovery.
Photograph from the Martin Loader Collection

2 photos with writing on back of John Clarke born 1937
Showing Fancy Dress and school photos
attended Bampton School

Bill Hudson MM was Frank Hudson’s father. His wife, one of Dora Townsend’s sisters died when Frank was 7 weeks old and Frank was raised by his grandparents on Castle View farm so Bill could go out to work; but Bill lived in Broad Street so saw Frank all the time. At one time Bill worked in Central Garage in the Market Square. In this picture he is seen with people from other outlets for Ferguson Tractors at the Fifteenth product course on April 29th 1947 where he represented Bathford of Swindon.
Frank never knew his father had been awarded the MM medal until he found it when clearing Bill’s house after he died.