大象传媒

a very short story of childhood memories

1940/1941 I was a five year old living in Ashburton, Devon.

I was being brought home from school by my niece and in the lane in which we lived, a number of bren gun carriers had been parked up.

I was not of an age as to why they were there at that moment in time, but when I went outside to satisfy childhood curiosity one of the drivers started to talk to me.

After a few minutes he picked me up and said just keep very still and keep your arms by your side.

At that age of five I was very excited but I remeber I was also a little frightened when this big soldier held me by my straight arms, picked me up, then shouting to his mate at the next carrier, gently through me up and forwards towards the next soldier. "don;t worry son just
keep very still in the air", my receiver said, then promptly turned and continued to throw me on from one to the other until I reached the end of the line. This happened to be outside my home.

I ran into the house all excited at what had happened,and been enjoyed by me.

After half an hour I went outside to see if it happened again, but the vehicles were already running thier engines, and shortly after they left the lane.

I have often wondered if any of those drivers recall what was only a little incident in thier lives, but so important to me in mine.

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