WALLET & CATHY

Cathy’s earliest memories are of trips to the Wiltshire countryside with her dad and elder brother, Drew. Bill was their host, a US serviceman and friend of the family. Their ‘Uncle Bill’ started a summer camp in 1956 for the kids of US air force men stationed in the UK. Camp Mohawk provided all the traditional activities, barbecues, canoeing and games but also gave children the opportunity to learn native American crafts. There were classes in decorating leather, the wallet was her dad’s, it is Cathy’s most treasured possession. She was three when she first went to the camp and still remembers a visit from Navajo Chief Rising Sun. Drew recently discovered some Pathé News footage of the camp from the 60s, in it Chief Rising Sun is revealed to be their Uncle Bill in full feathered regalia. Nine years ago their dad died, they tracked down the site of Camp Mohawk and scattered his ashes, most of the huts, though largely hidden by ivy, were still standing fifty years after their construction.

11 Dec 2011