Happy Memories

On the 14 th of April 1950 the first edition of a boys comic appeared called the EAGLE, I was just 9 years old and I remember buying my copy from the little newsagents on the bridge at Chippenham to this totally new concept in comics.
Not only did it contain Dan Dare, Pilot to the Future and the wonderful "cut away"drawings of L. Ashwell Wood's, whose drawing were said to be so accurate that some of them picturing weapons and military hardware, brought them under close scrutiny of the war office in case they were giving away state secrets!!!

Today whist shopping with No2 daughter, I cam across a book all about this publication. A flick through the pages brought memories flooding back and as a member of the Eagle Club I once won a ticket to see Burtrum Mills Circus.

There were also features on Jiu Jitsu self defense on how to throw an opponent to the ground, Plumbing, how to change a tap washer and adverts for air guns and air rifles and for toys some of which I used to own and a section on "He wants to be........." all about different occupations in which all the boys featured were all wearing ties and addressing their instructors as "Sir". There were even opportunities for the over twelves to go on an Eagle Adventure holiday to the lakes or the Yorkshire Dales. Later when "Girl" magazine was launched for girls, club members were invited to take part in mixed holidays abroad, all for £4.10,0d

How the world has changed from these wonderful innocent days and I am afraid not for the better and how advanced this magazine now seems.

Just think just 4 years after I started buying the magazine I would be out to work!