大象传媒

I was born 17.6.40.

In 1943 (aged 3 )I can remember living in
Church Lane, Bedminster with my parents and personal events related to those war years

My grandparents lived at Barton Hill so we also spent quite a lot of time with them, and I can remember them getting very distressed about some letters they received . These were call up papers for their three sons. There was much crying.
(NB The three sons all survived the war. One suffered permanent problems as a result, but they all lived on until their 70's)

I have clear memories of being rushed down into the Anderson shelter at home in Church Lane, Bedminster, mostly evenings to night time and the fear that involved.

The search light was located locally - maybe in Victoria Park, Bedminster. I remember the brightness of it aimed at the sky as the German planes came over.
There was a gun emplacement there as well so you could hear the gun being fired.
I have an overiding memory of the NOISE of all these experiences - the bombs, the guns, the fear, the anxiety. the terror. There would be about 6 or so people rushing to one shelter at any one time - even at 3 years of age I can sense the fear coming from other people.
St Johns Church got bombed very near our house.

We spent time on top of Windmill Hill at a friend's house. My father was a fire watcher in that vicinity.
Memories of being bundled into the cupboard under the stairs at that house - feeling terrified- but being comforted by Mum

The siren was on top of Robinsons factory - the paper bag manufacturer -( now Cameron's Balloons ) which was only one minute's walk away from our house.
The sound of the siren would start off slow and then build up to a high pitch - so you knew what was coming..... It meant going into total darkness and hiding under the stairs until the 'all clear' was sounded.
There was palpable relief (I recall this clearly even though I was only 3 years old )from all around when the 'all clear' siren was sounded.

I was allowed outside to play in the daytime - but was told not to go too far away from the house so I was near enough to be gathered up to be taken to safety should the need arise.

It was a very anxious time for little children.

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