Life Story Part 2 :: 1939 - 1949

 

At the outbreak of war in 1939, Eric was called up for service, as a serving territorial in the RAMC, but after serving during the London blitz in the Ambulance Section, he was transferred to the Entomological Laboratory at the Army School of Hygiene.  In this role, he served teaching entomological techniques and pest control measures as well as medical entomology.

After the war, Eric became Manager of Watkins and Doncaster,  The Naturalists, at 36 The Strand, London.  This was a famous meeting place for entomologists and one of the most enduring results of this meeting of minds is the "Entomologist's Gazette"  founded by, and edited by Eric in 1949 and initially published by Watkins and Doncaster, later also published by E W Classey.  

This was also a creative time for Eric and Ivy after their marriage on 16th September 1939 in Paddington Register Office, with the arrival of their four children - Lyn born in 1941, Peter born in 1944, Ian in 1945 and Sally in 1949.

In 1949, they launched their own specialist book selling shop in Feltham, Middlesex.  The family moved to Carlton Avenue in Feltham, to be close to the new shop premises -  the first home of E.W. Classey Booksellers. 

With his awe-inspiring ability to acquire knowledge combined with the realisation of how such information can enrich and inspire, Eric has always shown a willingness to learn and develop.  Whether this leads to learning new languages such as Russian, German, Latin and French (amongst others) - all self taught, or to building an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the English language or Natural History, he never fails to impress with his depth and breadth of knowledge.  During this particular period, Eric developed his love of classical music and also became a devotee of Gilbert and Sullivan.  Strangely enough, the birth of rock'n roll passed him by!

     

[Above: Cavalaire in the South of France with Eric and Ivy and children together with Ivy's mother]

     Read more...