大象传媒

My name is Bill Latchford. My story starts in November 1930 when I was born in Manchester where I lived until 1939. I attended Crumpsall Lane School and was in the Life Boys at St. Matthews Church, Crumpsall. I lived in a house backing on to Crumpsall Park and I recall as a young child of about 4 or 5 entering a cycle race for children of about that age on tricycles. There were two entries and two races were held, I won one and came second in the other. A small tgoy car was ther prize. As war approached a barrage balloon site was established in the park and this created a great deal of interest both for the children and adults.
On the 1 September 1939 the evacuation took place and our destination was Ramsgreave a place just to the north of Blackburn. I was billetted at a house with a boy of about my age, I believe his name was Platt. Everything was new and strange and we attended a school somewhere in that area. There were field and farms to visit and I remember at one farm we were all given fresh milk.
I did not stay long as I went with my mother to Eastbourne to join my father. The winter period 1939/40 was spent at Eastbourne. I recall hearing heavy gunfire and the window rattling. On one occasion a cargo boat was hit and came aground near Pevensey. This was a great attraction for the children.
After a short stay back in Manchestermy father was transferred to Northampton and in July 1940 my motgher and I joined him.
Many things happened over tghat next few years. I joined tghe Abington Troop of Scouts transferring to the St. Albans Troop when the new parish was created and the tgroop formed. I recall Scout Camps at Gayton and Castle Ashby.
Soldiers were billetted in the St Albans Church rooms and for a long period there was the Kings Royal Rifle Corp. As children we enjoyed the rides in tghe bren gun carriers.
When in the scouts I recall a visit to an American Air Force base - I do not know which one - there were many in and around Northjampton, and watched some bombers returning from a raid.
Early in the war air raid shelters were built in the roads and when the bricks etc arrived great games tgook place bujilding 'dens'. This annoyed local residents and I particularly remember and elderly lady who did nothing else but complain. This first lot of shelters were sub-standard and demolished. Futher bricks etc arrived and more games played again annoying the local residents.
At that time Broadmead Ave ended at St Albans Church and beyond were field. Great areas to explore and not too great distance across the fields to the Scouts Camping Ground at Blackthorn beyond the Eastern end of town. All the fields are built and covered by vast housing estates.
At the end of the war a street part was held for VE day and for VJ Day a partty was held at Home Farm, Spinney Hill - perhaps better known as Nortons Farm. A horse dealer who also ran riding stables.
In March 1949 I was called up for National Service and served my time in the RAF. I reported at Padgate and after a week wentg to Bridgnorth for my initial training. I then spent a moth a Bawdsey Manor near Felixstowe for my trade training before being posted to Hednesford to await a posting abroad.
In September I sailed out to Egypt (Canal Zone) on the Dilwara.
I went first to Abyad and work down the road at Fayid then to Ismalai and again worked down the road at el Firdan. I was also at Kabrit for a short while.
Spare time was spent swimming in tghe lakes along the Suez Canal at FCayid L:ido and thw Blue Lagoon.
During my period out there I went on a day trip to Cairo - organized by the Padre - we visited many sites in Cairo and went to the Pyramids.
I also had 2 weeks leave at Alexandria staying at the British Services Club.
It has only been in recent years that it has been possible to visit these places
with the introduction of package holidays.
Despite certain attitudes National Service and travel abroad provided opportunities.
I retgurned to the UK after 12 months on the Empire Windrush. It broke down several time but we did get back.

Bill Latchford

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