Page 17 - Phonebox Magazine June 2024

D-Day – A local story: Joseph Albert Callow
Leslie (Les), Flossie and Francis Callow came to Olney in 1941 as evacuees, followed in 1942 by their mother Rose Callow and their two youngest sisters Sylvia and Joan. Thier older brother Joseph fought at the D-Day landings and lived to tell the tale.
Joe and his wife Vera
Rose Callow’s husband Joe (Snr) was in Portsmouth on war duties. Her daughter Alice stayed behind to work in London but contracted and sadly died of TB. The eldest Callow daughter, Ivy, was in the Land Army. The oldest son in the family, Joseph (Jnr), was on active service. Joseph (known as Joe) was born in London on 31st January1920 and died on 6th June 2015. He was one of the first British troops to land on Gold Beach on 6th
but he was not allowed to stop and help his friend. The second wave consisted of soldiers, vehicles, and transport lorries. Joe was tasked to dig foxholes as they were exposed on the beach to gunfire. He remembered being in the sea, hauling the dead soldiers that didn’t make it off the boats onto the shore but said he had time to make a cup of tea, and this helped to keep him calm.
Joe met his wife Vera in Liverpool, she was also in the military police. It was love at first sight, and in May 1944, Barbara, their first daughter, was about to be born. Joe went AWOL from the army to go to Liverpool to see his new daughter. When he got back from the D-Day landings, he was thrown in jail and missed going out with the Lancashire Fusiliers. In a twist of fate, the Lancashire Troop were captured, and all perished. Joe was then stationed in Norway. Vera and Joe went on to have two more daughters and eventually emigrated to Canada. Joe’s father, mother and siblings Les and Flossie remained in Olney for the rest of their lives.
For the 80th anniversary of D-day, for each of those soldiers who died, including two ladies, a silhouette has been made and displayed on Gold Beach as a tribute to those who lost their lives (see below).
June 1944. As they ran up the beach, Joe’s friend died within an hour. They were the first wave of soldiers up the beach on D- Day, and as Joe was a military police officer, his job was to establish traffic signs on the beach for the first wave,
RiverFest returns!
Olney Riverfest is back again this year and will be held on Sunday 7th July. It will feature a whole day of fun-filled activities. Here’s a run-down of what’s on the aquatic agenda.
There will be fun at both Emberton Weir and
Olney Recreation Ground, with activities happening between 11am and 6pm. Entry to both event sites is free. This
year’s event is sponsored by McCarthy Stone Retirement Living.
The fun starts at 11am by the Emberton Weir, with scrutineering for the Raft Race taking place at 11.15am, giving the public and the judges a chance to take a close look at the huge variety of crafts. There’s everything from ‘thrown together’ to ‘elegantly constructed’, but all hopefully race-worthy! A separate prize is awarded to the most entertaining raft.
The Duck Race, organised by the 1st Olney Scouts, sets off at 12pm followed by the Raft Race starting at 12.45pm. Entry is open to individuals, clubs, or businesses. At the Olney Recreation Ground end, everything begins at 11am. Activities include a funfair as well as various craft stalls showcasing local businesses and organisations. There will be food stalls of every description and a large beer tent, with the music stage featuring the best of local talent. Build a raft with your family and friends, volunteer to help on the day, support the local enterprises at their stalls, dance to the tunes of local musicians, and most importantly have a wonderful day!
For further information about how to enter a raft, have a stall, or if you have any questions, visit: www.theolneygroup.org or follow the event on Facebook.
Organisers will once again be running ‘Riverfest Rocks’ on the evening of Saturday 6th July in the Riverfest marquee on the recreation ground where there will be a bar and food available.
Tickets available from thelittleboxoffice.com/theolneygroup or via the link on the website.
June 2024 | Phonebox Magazine 17