A farmers boy

In his memoirs, 'To be a Farmers Boy' (1910-30), George Noakes recalls the frustrations of working through his childhood as a farmers boy and his early ambition for something more.

Farm Work
I could milk a cow by the time I was seven years old, and when eight I earned sixpence a day at harvest time for "stannarding" - that is holding the horse still by its head while sheaves of corn were loaded on the cart.

I would walk on at a command, then on the word "Stannard", I would stop. It meant "Stand Hard" or "Stand Still". Then at the end of the week I would line up with the men to get my pay. Most I gave to Mum to help buy boots which wore away quickly on the gritty country roads.

These (sheaves) were taken to a prearranged place where the corn stack was to be built. It was never far away but two wagons or three would be doing a shuttle service all day. For this job I earned sixpence a day.

After all the harvest had been gathered the women were allowed to go gleaning, that is picking up all the corn left behind by the reaper. My mother did this. For a few pence the miller would grind it, and it was always used to make our Christmas puddings.

There were also pea and bean picking on other parts of the farm and potato picking, all very back-bending jobs. Then the mangle pulling, which was done by a team of gipsies who came yearly. But we boys would do the earthing to where they built a mangle pile to be used for cattle food during the winter. We helped get the cows in, and helped milk them which all brought in a bit of money.

Work at the race track
My father helped to look after the racehorses in the stable and mother cleaned the bothy where the stable lads lived. She was always delighted when she was given a pair of their long leather boots. She could make them last a little longer although to them they were worn out.

(Later) We went to Lewes but in a very poor part, Eastport Lane. But as Dad was out of work beggars can't be choosers. He would go out daily to look for work. Holding horse's heads at 4d a time was alright on race days, but it was no wage.

R.N.V.R.
I wanted to do something else than farm work day after day. He [my Uncle] explained that was what I was brought up to, and I was not qualified to do anything else. There was no alternative in the village, it would mean going away, and I was a bit young. But he suggested going to Newhaven and joining the R.N.V.R. like my cousin. Maybe if I liked it I might in time get into the Navy.

This appealed to me, so off I went on my bike and I joined. There were varied activities to do with Seamanship, drills and sport. I liked the boxing, and sometimes weekend trips in a boat. I didn't have the opportunity, as farm work is seven days a week. This new activity filled a need in my life. Work seemed less of a bore. Also I had a smart uniform to wear once a week. I felt a different person when I wore it.