大象传媒

The Air Raids over our side of the river had become an almost nightly thing so our nights were spent in the Air Raid Shelter, Anderson in the garden of the Council House on The Mayfields New Ferry.
Dad had dug a hole for the shelter big enough for a swimming pool almost, then my sister & I wheeled barrow loads of sand from New Ferry shore while Dad was filling sand bags all going on top of the shelter; Needless to say my sister & I were not impressed at pulling a barrow through the streets, but it had to be done according to our Dad.
How right he was too, The Mayfields had two land mines, one only twenty yards from our shelter. Five people opposite were killed.
Mrs. Bryne had gone out of their shelter to look at the fires off Bolton Road East. Mrs. Bryne was never seen again. It seems she was under the other land mine, not even one of her shoes were found then.
Her daughter Dorothy one of our best pals had been at Holt Hill Convent just nine months, she was twelve years of age. And Dorothy had to leave her Schooling and look after her young sister three or four years of age Sheila . Sheila is still one we see now and then. Also a Brother Gerrard, he would be still at School. Then Mrs. Bryne who worked at Cammel Lairds long hours.
Dorothy did a wonderful job, having missed out on her schooling, but still kept up with everything. We all remained friends for over sixty years. Dorothy passed away. She will never be forgotten though.
That night I think there was twelve from The Mayfields killed, others injured.

Another Story.

It was when London was being hit by the Doodle Bugs.
Bebington had a train full of evacuees. We met them with our Civil Defence ambulances & took them to different Centres. Then came the big job of finding homes for the children.
Each driver had their roads and areas to cover. My area was Brackenwood. Knocking on doors and asking the occupants if they would take one or two children.
All were found homes except one little boy named John still had a home to find. Nell Campbell one of the Drivers took him home with her. I did hear later that Nell & her Husband did adopt John. How true it was I do not know. Often wonder what did become of all the Evacuees from London.
I had the job of going to Liverpool Fish Market. Fish was not on ration and did help out with the rations. Here are the ladies of New Ferry, Port Sunlight & even Bromborough waiting for me to come back from Market. What did I come back with??? Just ONE five stone box of Hake.
Also some of the Mine Sweepers coming into Wallasey Docks had trawl nets on board. When one docked with fish Dad had a call and off my Sister & I would go in the old van to collect whatever the catch was. It certainly helped the women trying to make the rations go as far as possible.
Nancy & I never found out if it was legal or not. We just went for the lovely flat fish all tipped into the back of the van, then back to New Ferry where it was tipped onto the slab and very soon sold.

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