Wallis- Memories

My life by Arthur Percy Wallis. Reproduced by kind permission of Mr Paul Wallis (Percy’s Grandson)

I was born in the cottage next door to the Post Office in Harlaston on February 9th 1909. My father was a gardener. (This would have been no. 2 Post Office Row, and is now incorporated into Harlaston Shop)

I attended the village school from the age of 5 until I left when I was 14 years old, and have lived in the village ever since in various houses.

At the age of 8 I went to the Manor Farm, evenings, weekends and school holidays, which was then owned by Mr Thomas Lees, to help do odd jobs, such as suckling calves, feeding poultry, ferrets and taking 1 gallon stone jars of beer to the men working on the harvest fields. I became so thirsty on this long trek that I used to stop and have a swig on the way, on arriving at the harvest field the men gave me another cupful which helped me to trudge back for more for them. After the days work on the farm the men went to the farmhouse and were given another pint of beer each, I had a pint of milk and a round of bread and honey! These were very happy days.

Unfortunately on the day I left school Mr and Mrs Lees left the village. The Manor Farm was taken over by Mr P.H. Mercer. 

My first job after leaving school was with Mr W.H. Willday of Edingale, our next village. He owned one horse and cart to deliver coal from various collieries in the area. This was my job which meant travelling many miles each day in all weathers, while Mr Willday did a job of work. I worked for Mr Willday for five very happy years, and was sad when the day came he sold the horse and cart and bought a motor lorry. Since I couldn’t drive I had to find another job. This was when I started to work for Mr. P.H. Mercer at Manor Farm.

My first job with Mr Mercer was general farm work, which consisted of working on the land with horses, milking the cows by hand, attending sheep, hedge brushing, ditching etc.

After a while Mr Mercer’s cow man was attacked by the bull, this so upset him he did not wish to continue to be in charge of the cows, Mr Mercer then asked me if I would be willing to take the job, this I did until I semi-retired 5 years ago. At the time of taking over the cows Mr Mercer had one of the best Pedigree Herds of shorthorn cattle in Staffordshire which we were very successful in showing, winning many cups, shields and medals. A highlight of this shorthorn era was during the war years when Mr Mercer was honoured by a visit to his farm by Mr Hudson, the then Minister of Agriculture. 

In 1966Mr Mercer’s son, Mr A.W. Mercer had great difficulty in persuading his father to build a milking parlour and sell the shorthorn herd, to be replaced with a friesian Herd, eventually this was done very successfully.

During the 1939 to 1945 war years as well as my farm duties I was a member of the ‘Home Guard’ which meant doing some night duty and training on Sundays. Later I was a member of the special police.

After 45 years of farm service I was presented with a long service medal by HRH the Duchess of Kent at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh. In May 1978 I was presented with a tankard by HRH the Duke of Gloucester, this being a special long service award from the County. In July 1978 I was presented with a bar to my long service medal by HRH the Prince of Wales, he asked me when I had received my medal. When I told him of all my awards and who presented them he said, “You will soon be one of us”, this really made my day.

Since semi-retiring my duties are chiefly looking after the calves generally, and feeding some steers for show and sale at Bingley Hall Stafford, and any odd jobs.

I have been married for over 49 years and have one son and three grandsons.

In 1971 Mr Mercer very kindly built a bungalow in the entrance to the farm for my wife and I to live in for life, which is very much appreciated by us both.

When Mr P.H. Mercer died in 1972 the Manor Farm was taken over by his son Mr A.W. Mercer who carried on with the pedigree hereof large white pigs which are world famous, now his son Mr R.M. Mercer farms Manor Farm which means I have seen four generations of Mercers and had over 60 very happy working years with the Mercer family. 

In 1982 I received the B.E.M. from Her Majesty the Queen for long service.