BRIAN BOULTON

Surname

Boulton

Forename

Brian

Date of recording

29/2/2016

Year of birth

1937

Place of Birth

Benhall Green

Occupation

Police Officer

Fathers occupation

Bricklayer

Present Address

Snape

Location Interview

Snape

Interviewer

Summary

David Robertson

Duration

110 Mins

​Track 1                                                                       Introduction


Track 2 ( 12:40)
Background of Boulton family from1870s when Great Grandfather a Foreman at Church Farm Snape to Brian’s childhood memories of World War 2. 
Grandfather Burgess, one of ten children with men mainly employed in agriculture, though one a Policeman. Committed Methodists. Burgess employed by Garrett family at ‘Greenhayes'. After  WW1 service he moved the family to a cottage on Church Common, Snape. In 1927 they moved to Old School House Farnham Road - facilities: water from well, outside toilet, no electricity, paraffin cooking; family occupied it ever since. Brian’s Dad was a Foreman bricklayer married to Mary Hardy in 1935 - three children. Brian’s childhood memories of WW2: Bombers flying out, V1’s in return. Army activity all around including Americans.  Entertainment by programmes like Mrs Dales Diary & Dick Barton Special Agent. Radio use ‘rationed’ to save battery.


Track  3 (12.40)
Reflections on a close knit family living a ‘simple’ life with little money or leisure time. Homes at Church Farm Iken, Chapel Cottage Snape and Pump Square. Attended Snape School.
School Swimming lessons in river Alde. Mother full time housewife but in War a volunteer for WRVS. Father building Blast Walls and rebuilding damaged houses. No paid holidays but a week off would visit  places like Wickham Market, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth. Weekends Iken Cliff swimming near Battle Area.  Schooling Snape 5-15 - Infants, Juniors and Seniors - 3 teachers.
Description of School life & headmasters. 1951 ten day visit to South Wales was first time away from family; a very special experience for Brian.


Track 4 (12.40)
South Wales trip He wrote a booklet about the trip. Snape Schools.  Village traders.
About 70 children at the school. Activities included the football team, gardening and pig keeping. Stories of village trades - butcher, post office. Vick Last’s fish shop grew from wet fish only via a coal fired fish fryer to a very successful fish and chip business/ ice cream maker/ cafe owner. Shop a social meeting place for all walks of life until it closed in 90’s. Today no one is about! For those who could afford it - another school in the village was The Barn School in Wadd Lane.
​ 
Track 5 (12.40)
Changes in Snape community relationships and sources of employment
Influence of the Maltings and Commander Woodward on village activities. In early 50’s most people still worked on local farms or at the Maltings. Today the Concert Halls and shopping centre offer  more limited employment for villagers.
Brian left school when 15 to work in the Tally House at Garrett’s Leiston works as messenger and red flag carrier. Then to electrical department as apprentice.


Track 6 (12.40)
Brian in the RAF and  Suffolk Police.
After 3 years at Garrett’s, moved to Church Garage Snape. 1959 Enlisted for 3 years in RAF Police based Wattisham and a rocket site at Rattlesden. In 1965 joined Suffolk Police. Basic training followed by posting to Lowestoft then Oulton Broad. Patrolling on his own with bike, truncheon, and notebook.  1967 Posting to Little Glemham. On his own. Patrolling on his bike.


Track 7 (12.40)
Suffolk Police experiences.
Typical events  - fatal traffic accidents; sudden deaths; burglaries, petty crime, suicides, pub punch ups. Got to know the community,especially the kids. Always available. Exceptional result on promotion exam - offered fast track 12 month promotion course. But turned it down. In 1976, promoted to Sergeant at Lowestoft. Big change in working conditions.


Track 8 (12.40)
Police career
Organised a move to Halesworth. About 3 years later promoted to Inspector at Lowestoft. Demanding shift system. Busy and enjoyable times.  Stories of catching burglars and a stabbing.
Rioting youth on Saturday nights; plenty of fights; domestic violence. Three shifts system very wearing. Moved to cover Beccles, Bungay and Southwold -wonderful time -involved in the community. Promoted to Chief Inspector.


Track 9 (12.40)
Police career and retirement activities.
Promoted to Superintendent. Retired after an unenjoyable year. Overall a fantastic very rewarding twenty nine years. Highlight was meeting and gaining respect of people.  After retirement missed comradeship and contact with the public.  Soon began to fill his time.  Researched his family history and then built a fine collection of old photographs of Snape, becoming the  village historian. Chaired  Air Training Corps at Leiston; Parish Councillor; School Governor. Very much involved with the Church - Churchwarden.
 
Track 10 ( 9.25  )
Reflection on changes in the sense of community in the village. Importance of the social history contained in old photographs. Simple life as a child in the village. Always looking for what will be best for the village.