大象传媒

SKEGNESS TO MED.
I was born 6 Jan. 1941. I remember my Mother always grumbled because she was unable to enjoy Christmas, because of the war. But she always said to me as we drank tea. 鈥淭he bubbles on the tea were kisses from my Father who was serving abroad. My memories are strengthened with my conversations that I had with my relatives throughout my life. My Father, Mother, Aunts and Uncles. I distinctly remember going to Skegness railway station, on a platform that is now non existent, with my Mother and Sister, in Autumn 1943. We went to see our Father off to war. I will always recall the train moving out and taking my Father.

He was to serve in the R.A.F. Air Sea Rescue as a medic and was stationed near Louth and eventually sent to Alexandria, Egypt. As part of the North African Campaign.
In his many letters home, he only ever mentioned coming under fire once. It was whilst he was at sea on seaborne rescue mission. His boat came under fire from a friendly Spitfire, who momentarily mistook his vessel for a E Boat ( German Torpedo boat ) .
My Mother told me that first of all he tried to join the R.A.M.C. But they would only take Conscientious Objectors. Sometimes he would send my Mum souvenirs, little statuettes. Finally, we found out that he had been sent to Italy, but only later after the war, because they were not allowed to tell us where they were all the time.
There was some Black Humour at home, that I did not realise the importance until later. Because I was skinny as a rake, my Uncles and Aunts called me Belsen. Although I also realised much later, that because of my Mums Priority in the Ration queue we were always well fed.
One day, a tall sandy haired man came out of a taxi cab. Someone shouted 鈥淗ere鈥檚 your dad鈥�. He walked over, my sister had grown since he had been away, and he did not recognise her, she was also standing next to her friend who was an almost double of her, so that would have made it difficult for Father. My Father, joyously, was home for V.J. Day. We joined the crowds in celebration, and even though I was only four years old, someone gave me five shillings, two half crowns; this was an amazing amount for a child of my age, and quite a lot for adults too.

鈥楾his story was submitted to the Peoples war site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of John Burrows and has been added to the site with his permission.. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions鈥�

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