Fegans Old Boy: Neville
Neville was born in Islington, London on the 2nd June, 1934, and currently resides in Ipswich, Suffolk.
He spent four years from 1946 in the care of Mr Fegans Homes. Having lived in Bury-St-Edmunds in foster care, there was some misunderstanding and as a result, he was admitted to Fegans.
Neville has no brothers or sisters, but remembers his time at Fegans as a "disciplined but happy time".
His outstanding sad memory from his time at Fegans was the fist Christmas he spent there. He had been sent a present of a pen, from his Foster Mother but it was stolen.
Many old boys like Neville, remember being served steamed puddings at meal times, which they affectionately called 'baby heads'.
Hockey and running were two sports Neville enjoyed playing during his time at Fegans.
He remembers two members of staff fondly; Captain F for his fairness and Nurse P, who he says was very caring.
Neville, like many boys was caught scrumping! He subsequently was punished.
Mum F nicknamed Neville 'Grunter', whilst he scrubbed the Chapel and Dining Room floors.
He admits to not being a good scholar, but when he left school, he worked as an office boy at the London Fegans Office at Millbank. In 1952 he joined the RAF, and remembers playing hockey for the RAF whilst stationed in Germany.
He then returned to live with his foster mother in Felixstowe and eventually purchased a greengrocers shop which he kept for thirty three years before retiring.
He married his wife Jean in 1964 at St Thomas' Church, Ipswich. They adopted their son Martin in 1967 and in 1968 had a daughter, Susan, who is now a Doctor of clinical psychology.
We are proud to have worked with children and families for more than 150 years.
In both our Spurgeons and our Fegans children's homes we were able to give amazing opportunities to children in their time of greatest need. We were proud to be there for them when their families couldn't be.
These stories are part of our historical record, and we acknowledge that some of the approaches of the time to disciplining the children which features in these stories, whilst common practice at this time, are no longer acceptable. However, after careful consideration, we feel it is both honouring and transparent to include all the boys' experiences in the stories they have chosen to share with us.
If you have been impacted by the content in these stories, or you just have questions about your or a close family member's time in our homes please do be in touch with our supporter care team.
