大象传媒

I was born in Paddington, London W.9 on 4th December 1928. My earliest
Memories were at school when I was 3 yrs old.(We started early those days). I moved to Essendine Rd School, W.9 at 5 yrs old.

In September 1939 I, together with two brothers and my sister were evacuated to Kings Langley. I will never forget the feeling that no one wanted us when everyone had been housed and the four of us were left. Eventually a lady took pity on us for the night. The next day the raher harassed Billeting officer
Found us two homes reasonably near to each other I went to a chicken farm with my sister and my two brothers were housed nearby. We never really felt at home and were not happy. We stayed for about a year and then returned to London.

I had a job as a paper boy and milk delivery boy. This was quite exciting as quite often the air raids were still on. All the kids collected shrapnel in those days.

Later in 1940 I won a London Junior County Scholarship for entry to a Grammar School. I chose Marylebone Grammar School and in 1941 wet to join them at Portreath near Redruth. My two brothers followed after winning their scholarships.

I was away for about a year and then went home to London. I then attended the London Emergency Grammar School at Hortensia Rd Chelsea. This was not a great success and at 15 I left school to go to work. I found work in a Chartered Accountants office at Evelyn House, 62 Oxford Street London. During working hours I was a volunteer roof spotter- I stood on the roof and watched Bourne and Hollingsworth Roof who raised a red flag when the V1 were spotted. When I reached 16 I became a volunteer messenger boy with the ARP. We counted the shelter occupants each night in case of bombing I have fond memories of fruit cake and teas. I still went to work each day after the night shift. One morning I left my office with my senior for an audit in Smithfield Market. As we went to Holborn the first V2 arrived and I have vivid memories of a
Policeman thrown of his horse.!

On VE day we had a street party. This is where I met my wife who had come from Wales to stay with an Aunt. This was in May 1945.

I joined the Royal Air Force as soon as I was old enough- 25th November 1946. I married the party girl,in 1950 and we are now celebrating 55 years of marriage.

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