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Born 2 March 1928 and was 11 when war broke out. He was at Walkden High School and he was living on Bolton Road. He was on the local fair at Little Hulton when he heard war had started. They all ran home and his mother was crying and his sisters and brothers. Mother remembered the 1 WW. When he went to Bridge Road School after Walkden Methodist, they split the class in half and they did half day each. The air raid shelters were not ready for everyone. Could only take half the school at a time. This went on for about 12 months. On his half day off he would help in the local farm on Hill Top Road. Also, had jobs to do at home. He would help around the house. He had 4 sisters but the boys helped also. After 12 months they were back at school full time.

No shelter at home. Went under the stairs during air raids. Believed this the safest place. There were bombs at Kearsley, Farnworth, Worsley and incendiary bombs around Walkden. No bombs as such in Walkden, just incendiary. The nearest was a mile away. There was a landmine at Sandholme Colliery round Wythenshawe. People were killed in Worsley and Hope Hospital was hit but not directly on Walkden. Farnworth had bomb damage on the railway. During the Blitz they would come every night about 6-7pm 1940-41 but no serious damage in Walkden. School as normal. Not evacuated from Walkden. More Manchester evacuated.

Would have sandwiches under the stairs. Went under stairs as soon as sirens went. Could hear anti aircraft fire. Would peep through blackout and would see the searchlights and the fires burning. That was traumatic. Could hear people running to get under cover. Dad in WW1 not WW2. Sister went in munitions — Risley Munition Works and the others worked in the local factories and mills. This was war work making uniforms. When left school he went into a local wood yard making shell cases for ammunition boxes and tea chests for Boots the Chemist. That was in Walkden. He worked on the saw, sawing parts for shell cases. Reinforced tea chests for Boots the Chemist to use as packing cases for medical supplies overseas. Did this till war finished then at 18 he did national service for 2 years and 3 months. He was in the fire service for the RAF in the aerodromes. Worked on the fighter stations in England and Scotland. That was interesting but easy. No serious incidents. A training plane in Scotland crash landed but there was no fire and the 2 pilots were only slightly injured.

There were 4 sisters 2 brothers and parents but they managed with the rations. Easier for 9 than for 4. Mixed butter and marg together. Put syrup in tea instead of sugar. Dried milk. Potato pie, potato hash, chips. Not much meat. Never been hungry. Clothes rationed. Scheme called make do and mend. Made patchwork quilts, made pegged rugs etc.

Was at work on D Day. One woman was panicking because thought invasion starting. Boss told her the invasion was in France not England. Knew no-one killed personally. Family called Johnson who had a son killed in the navy. Day war ended there was a mate staying over and there was 4 of them in the bed. Went to Walkden Park and there was a 30ft high bonfire. A soldier on leave set it alight. It burnt a long time. Singing in streets into early hours of the morning.

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