G,Day to all the Bowhay Clan.
My god I just cannot believe I stumbled across this. my name is David Blackie I was a WW2 London evacuee to Blackawton,
I attended Blackawton school for five years; from age nine to fourteen.

I knew "old Ernie Bowhay" as he was known very well indeed, he was one hell of a character, could be a gruff old so and so, but a lovely man with a wonderful sense of humour and a bellowing laugh; he was the best "Rick" builder in South Devon, I worked with him as a boy quite often at Harvest time along with Percy Joint, he and old Ernie were great friends and rivals.

Ernie had a daughter Pamela, strangely enough it was only a few days ago, I discovered a website for Blackawton Primary school, with email point of contact, to which I wrote a letter in which I mentioned Pamela.

Well I am just blown away by this, I will finish by saying "old Ernie' certainly loved his cider, and at Harvest time along with Percy would have put a big dent in Mr Leonard Foale's cider stock.

Hope to hear from anyone with connections to Blackawton.

David Blackie WW2 Evac'

David Blackie
As an ex Blackawton inhabitant I was working my way through the info when I spotted your ref to Ernie Bowhay who I remember as a child when I used to vist my grandparents in the village. I have just spoke to my father who lived in the village who is the same age as you and remembers you well, his name is David Cousins. He would love to hear from you after all this time, if you e-mail me I will arrange contact.

Hi

I couldn’t help myself… I felt the need to resurrect this (very) old thread.

My interest? Well the very same “old Ernie Bowhay” was my Grand Father! Pamela being my mother…

I recall many a summer trip as a youngster in the ’70’s travelling the seemingly endless miles from Leicestershire down to South Hams on the annual family pilgrimage to visit the Grand Parents.

I’ll keep an eye on this old thread for any sign of life and pass on its existence to my Mother, I’m sure that she will be fascinated….

You’ve just got to love the Internet and the magic of Google.

Best regards…