1947

 

L, something indistinguishable, Aged 16 1947, next to which is the initial outline of an aborted 'A', by the same caver I suspected, who probably decided it was better to have their age and date below their initials rather than next to them. The forest here would have been very different in 1947, it would've been much quieter then, Cadnam Road wasn't the busy 4 laned monster it is today. Nowadays there's no access off the Cadnam Road between Pickets Post and Stoney Cross, back in 1947 there were a number of opportunities access minor and forest roads. At this corner of Slufter's was a confluence of a major, a minor and a number of forest roads, probably a popular place to take a break. Maybe L was passing on a journey, picnicking or maybe he was part of one families who were housed on the nearby decommissioned Stoney Cross Airfield (the other end of Slufters) post World War Two. I think it's an interesting piece as it highlights the difficulty in ageing carved graffiti, if it wasn't dated, I'd have assumed it more recent, the nature of it and the scaring look so similar to pieces I've recorded from the the late 70's early 80's. Just goes to tell you can't.  L would be 90 this year. I wonder what their journey's been like? And whether they remember, or have revisited their handy-work?