BUTLINS BOGNOR 1964 at REDCOATS REUNITED

BUTLINS BOGNOR REDCOATS 1964

Butlins Bognor 1964 at Redcoats Reunited

BACK

boy

Aussie

Lifeguard 1

Dave

Porter

Aussie

Lifeguard 2

Mike

Wall

Pete

boy

‘Bingo’

Bill

Terry

Blackmore

BACK

boy

girl

Erica

Nowell

Melfi

son 1

Melfi

son 2

‘Aunty’

Mabel

Elisha

Ralnah

pianist

‘Uncle’

Dodie

Melfi

daughter

Melfi

dad

girl

boy

bar duo1

girl

Jackie

Barry

girl

Sheila

White

‘Aunty’

2nd of

bar duo

boy

girl

Molly

Geary

man

Eric

Winstone

BandLeader

Jimmy

Kennedy

AEM

Roy

Markwell

Ents.Man

Wally

Swash

DEM

Fried

BandLeader

Roy

Pelleit

AEM

man

Eileen

Kennedy

girl

RadioB

Ron

Appleby

Archie

Baker

With sincere thanks to MIKE WALL for the photo and names,
and to ERICA NOWELL and CAROL BILLINGTON for additional names.
Mike Wall adds: “My Children’s team consisted of Shirley, Janice Carty and Skipper [the latter two not in the photo].”
Ellise Ralnah was Mrs. Wally Swash.
The Melfis where father, daughter, and 2 sons who played in the Pig & Whistle.

I spent 1964/65 at Bognor as a Redcoat, again under the stewardship of Roy Markwell. In 64 I was children’s uncle and — with another Redcoat, Skipper, plus two female Redcoats — led over 200 children to safety when the Children’s Theatre caught fire during the children’s evening entertainment. We received much praise from the fire service and London Office, but what touched us most (and I will remember for ever) was the profuse thanks and gratitude from the parents of those children.
1964 at Bognor also included the YORK DINING HALL RIOT.

Butlins Bognor 1964 Mike 1 at Redcoats Reunited

I enjoyed being Children’s Uncle in 1964. As well as the work, it did allow me some freedom after 9.00 in the evening. I often went to The Old Time Ballroom, particularly for The Lancers. Also twice a week on stage in The Blinking Owl while the resident duo had a break.

Butlins Bognor 1964 Mike 2 at Redcoats Reunited

I still hold lovely memories of the families I met and made friends with during that summer. One particular family with triplets, all girls, came back the following year allegedly to see me, and again in 1966. When they learnt I was at Barry Island they booked another week at Barry. Lovely family I wonder where those sweet girls are now. I guess they would be about 60 years old.
I cannot remember a group photo in 1965. I was House Captain of Windsor and again hold many memories.

Best Wishes,

Mike Wall