大象传媒

Coming out of school one lunch-time, I went into a Baker's shop to buy an apple fritter, and was told of the "D. Day" landings in France. I rushed home to isten to the latest news on the wireless in a glow of excitement. I ate the apple fritter much later.

My war was nearly over. Army Tanks rolled through the streets, and we saw large convoys of lorries packed with soldiers
heading for the docks, but no-more air-raids. In the West country we did not have the horror of the flying bombs that
fell on London. I still had the memory, when a small child of seeing my first dead body. That of our ginger-haired milkman,
who was killed outside my home, by blast alone - no blood.

Towards the end of the war, dad was awared the B.E.M, medal by the King, for his work on R.A.D.A.R. and echo-sounding devices. Unfortunately, we didn't get invited to the Palace to receive it, as at that time, too many people received medals.

We had an impromtu street party on the day when peace was declared. V.E. Day, or victory in Europe, brought out everyone
in Sandling Avenue. We lit a huge bonfire in the road, changed the street lamp's light bulbs for larger ones, and, with my
dad's help, rigged up a microphone and loud speakers. We sang wartime songs like "Run Rabbit Run", "The White Cliffs of Dover",
"Coming In On A Wing and A Prayer" "There'll Always be an England"
and "Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree". This last one had been given new words, which we had sung in the shelters with
great gusto. The words started: "Down in the shelter, 6 foot deep, Little Hitler lies asleep" etc..

By this time the tarmac, under the bonfire, had melted and started to run down the road, but it didn"t seem to matter.
Some days later the adults organized a sit down meal. It was held in the disused Hovis Bakery in Reynolds Walk. We had
fish or meat paste sandwhiches and jellies. We were joined by some large rats who had a good party too, as they ate the
crumbs.

I had intended to join the Queen lexandra's naval nurses, if the was had lasted a few more years. In the meantime I became a nursing cadet. Seven years later, we had a new young queen. I was a new Elizabethan, and the future was mine.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.