LEONARD VIVIAN HARRIS 1920 Born at the Lower Down Farm, Brockton, Lydbury North, on 20th February. His father was William Harris an estate worker for the Earl of Powis at Walcot Hall. His mother was Edith (Yapp). He had a younger sister, 16 yrs his junior. 1927 The family moved around the area until they settled at Brockton Lodge, Brockton. Went to school at Lydbury North until he was 14. 1934 Went to work as a farm boy for a short time until he left to work for Gauis Smith a grocer and provision merchant in Bishop’s Castle. 1936 Took Public Service Vehicle driving test on double decker buses at Hereford. 1940 June 20th. Called up WW2. Joined the RAF Volunteered for numerous gunnery courses and became an instructor in Anti-Aircraft and ground defence. Promoted to corporal then sergeant. Became one of the first members of the newly formed RAF Regiment. A fighting force formed within the RAF to protect the airfields and men. He was in a Light Anti Aircraft Squadron. 1943 (July) he was part of the largest seaborne invasion prior to ‘D’ Day. 2,760 ships & 150,000 troops rendezvousing at Malta in preparation for invasion of Sicily. Spent the next 3 years in Italy as part of the 8th Army protecting American and British airfields. Worked his way up the east coast of Sicily and Italy in extremely difficult conditions ending up in Austria as part of the occupation force. 1946 De-mobbed 5th July. 1946-1950 He worked for Ransford and Sons, Bishop’s Castle hauling pit props down to the mines in Cannock and bringing coal back. 1947 6th September He married Mary Randell at St. Michael’s in Lydbury North. FLORENCE MARY RANDELL 1926 Born at White Birches, (now Minton Spier) Marshbrook on June 11th. Her father was William Francis Randell, an ex-soldier who had lost a leg in WW1, and worked as a castrator/farrier. Later in life he was the landlord of the Horseshoe Inn at the Bridges, Ratlinghope. Her mother was Elsie (Ruff). Mary was the eldest of five children. 1928 The family moved to Brookside Cottage, Brockton. Went to school at Lydbury North until she was 14 1940 Went to work in Ransford & Sons coal office at Bishop’s Castle the day after leaving school. 1942 Went to Birmingham to work as a nanny. Took shorthand and typing lessons became a secretary in a wholesale stationers in the city centre. 1947 Married Len at St. Michael’s Church, Lydbury North. LEN AND MARY 1947-1950 Lived at the Mill, Brockton in two rooms. 1948 Daughter Jillian Mary was born. 1950 moved to the Cwbalt, Hyssington a 37 acre farm, now derelict, on the hillside directly behind their headstone at St. Etheldreda's Church, Hyssington, Powys. It was an idyllic spot but there was no running water, electricity, telephone, bath or inside toilet. Small dairy herd. 1950 Son John William was born. 1951 Second son David George was born. 1958 Third son Peter Charles was born. 1959 Moved to Plowden and a 35 acre farm. Dairy farm, some beef cattle and a substantial herd of pigs. 1968 September daughter Jill married. 1970‘s Len formed an agricultural engineering and repairs, and ornamental metalwork business which he ran side by side with the farm. 1974 July son John married. 1978 July. First granddaughter born. 1978 December. Second granddaughter Sally born. 1981 April. Third granddaughter born. 1990 September they sold up and retired to Churchstoke. 1992 November. Son David married. 1994 December. Fourth granddaughter born. 1997 Golden wedding anniversary with over 70 friends and family at Hyssington Village Hall in the style of the 1950's. 1998 July. First and only grandson was born. 2000 December. Len suffered a severe stroke and never recovered. 2001 February 1st he passed away at Stone House Cottage Hospital, Bishop’s Castle aged 80. 2006 Mary celebrated her 80th Birthday. 2010 December. Mary’s first great granddaughter was born in America. Sadly they never met. 2011 March 9th Mary passed away in the Stone House, Bishop’s Castle aged 84.