As the war dragged on Idris continued his work as a
munitions inspector for the Home Guard. Their daughter Wendy would often watch
the barrage balloons rising into the air before she headed off to school. They
called them "Elephants," perhaps in an effort to make some cheer of
the situation.
Idris never evacuated his children. If they were told that a
particular heavy air raid was coming then he would take them in the little side
car of his motorbike up to Stoke on Trent .
Here they would stay with the rest of the family.
David John, Glyn and Idris Davies. Three brothers. |
Idris loved his motorbike.
He rode a Matchless 500 and would often ride with his brother Glyn from Birmingham to Wales . One time there was a major
fog in Gloucestershire and the brothers recall that Idris ended up with a
policeman on his handlebars.
Victory in Europe was celebrated in Britain and the
Commonwealth on the 7th May 1945. Celebrations occurred all over the country with young and old dancing in the street. Iris' younger sister Ruth was sick in bed and
Idris kept checking inside to make sure that she was ok.
With the long war over people could at last look forward.
Idris bought a house in Sheldon, it was one of many that were being built at
the time and one of the first on the street. Others were still being erected as
they moved in. The house is still standing at 45 Shirley Road , Sheldon, Birmingham .[1]
The winter of 1947 changed their plans. It was one of the
worst on record. Idris' wife Iris struggled with Pernicious Anemia and nearly
died. The Dr. informed them both that unless they moved to a more suitable
climate she would probably die within the next five years. The options then,
were Canada or Africa .
Idris' brother Glyn had been with Montgomery 's expedition force. He had
traveled with the Armored Car division, landing in Cape
Town and traveling the length of Africa, passing through many British commonwealth countries on the way. He told Idris
about Southern Rhodesia and its amiable
climate. The decision was made final when Britain announced it was paying
£10,000 to any citizens who moved to the colonies. The motherland would also
cover the cost of the fare there.
So on 22 July 1947 Idris left
England for Africa . He traveled aboard the Carnavon
Castle , leaving from the port of Southampton . The records show his last English
address as 318 Longton Road ,
Stoke on Trent . [2]
Passenger List for the voyage from Southampton. |
****
[1] Wendy knows that they lived at two houses during and
just after WW2. One was a Shirley or Shiela
Road in
Sheldon. The first was at Heather
Road in Birmingham .
The two numbers were 45 and 54 but she can never remember which number belonged
to which street.
[2]
This was the address of Harold and Annie Griffiths, Iris' parents. Ruth Griffiths
remember them staying there when Idris left for Africa
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