Old Wandsworthians Memorial Trust

Hall of Remembrance

Peter Shillingford

1929 – 2010

Peter was born in Southfields, Wandsworth, in 1929. He attended West Hill Junior & infants School until 1939. Having passed his exams he was selected to attend Wandsworth Grammar School, Sutherland Grove, Wandsworth. It was also the month of 1939 that the Government of the time declared war against Germany. Following this, arrangements were made for the evacuation of children to the country for safe keeping.

Peter was selected to be located in Old Woking, Surrey. There he attended the local village School on a temporary basis until a suitable school was found. He was finally relocated with one other Wandsworth boy and friend in a rather grand house called Sutton Place, much to their huge delight and sense of fun. He really enjoyed himself whilst he was there and remained until he was of school leaving age of 15 yrs.

Peter was called up for National Service in 1947 and was selected as an Instrument Mechanic with the R.A.F. until his demob in 1949.

I met Peter in 1949 and courted for four years. During this time, although Peter never participated in the game of Rugby he was a keen supporter of the Old Wandsworthians.

We married in Wandsworth in the January 1953 and had two lovely daughters. We lost contact with the Rugby Club for a spell due to young children and Pete's shift work at Fulham Power Station. However, he did manage a few days off and the odd weekends along with other volunteers, and this was spent in digging the pit for the Cess tank and the subsequent new club house for the then newly acquired field in Claygate.

Moving on a few years he agreed to be their First Aider at home matches and could tell a few stories about some awesome injuries encountered.

In latter years contact with the Old Wandsworthians has been mainly through the newsletter, and a long standing friendship with Ted and Reg Sparkes who also have sadly passed away.

Peter was the younger brother of Harry Shillingford, who was an old Wandsworthian rugby player.

P.S. Peter never did get to attend Wandsworth School due to the war!

Thelma Shillingford

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