- Contributed by听
- Bill Killick
- People in story:听
- Bill Killick
- Location of story:听
- Bermondsey
- Article ID:听
- A2396216
- Contributed on:听
- 07 March 2004
I can well remember the first daylight raid of the Blitz,watching the bombers high up in the sky over Bermondsey,with the vapour trails going in and out of the bombers,these must have been the Fighter planes of the R.A.F.,although we couldnt identify them.I remember hearing the bombs raining down,and the succession of explosions,in sticks of five or six i think,if they were getting louder they were coming towards us and softer,away from us.later in the afternoon we watched the great clouds of black smoke plume towards the sky with a warm orange glow beneath them.This was Surrey Docks on fire.Surrey Docks consisted of mainly timber yards named Russia Yard,Greenland Yard,Canada yard, etc,and were brim full of nice cut and stacked timber,easy meat for the incendiary bombs of the Luftwaffe.We stood and watched as great lumps of black ash descended upon us making our faces and clothes black and smudged.An A.R.P. warden cycled down our road(Major Road)blowing his whistle and telling us all to get indoors,to which we all paid little regard,my Aunt telling him to stop blowing the whistle and go away.As the day went on we heard that there had been some direct hits on a block of flats at Downtown Rotherhithe,with some loss of life.The remainder of the people from these flats were moved into my school,Keetons Road,for safety and somewhere to stay,unfortunately the school was hit by high explosive bombs the same night and several of the women and children were killed.During the nights we used to sit under the stairs in what used to be the coal cupboard,with night -lights for company, and my sister used to make shadow figures with her hands to amuse us.There was only room for four,two either side,sitting on beer crates with cushions on,this was deemed the safest place ,as all the houses that had some sort of bomb damage, always had the stairs remaining intact.As the raid progressed through the nights without respite we took to a larger shelter beneath CHambers Wharf Cold Stores,this projected out under the River Thames,a fact that did not please my mother very much and we took to Dockley road Railway Arch after a land mine flattened New Church st and blew in the doors off the underground shelter.Sleeping underneath the railway always seemed a bit silly to me as i thought it was a likely target,especially as there was a gun overhead that used to travel up and down and let off the occasional shell upwards with a loud bang,then trundle off along the line to do the same thing again.We slept beneath the large wooden runners that housed the large barrels of produce,i never quite found out what was in them,the floor was a kind of brown dirt and we used to have a blanket on top,it always seemd warm and cosy,and rather exiciting as there were always places to explore.There was also a small cafe of a sorts where you could have a nice slice of toast for 1p and a cup of tea 1 1/2p old money of course.This would opned up at around7pm and close about 1 or 2 am depending on how many people were still awake.I remember one night when a Warden came in and said there has been a bomb in Major rd,wethought that our house would be gone,but as luck would have it,it was a small bomb and had landed at one end of the road,smack in the middle,damaging the two end houses only,apart from a few slates gone and the windows all broke.When we got home in the morning,my mother just rolled up her sleeves and swept all the glass up and cleaned up as she always did,she never used to swear or rant,and just seemed to take it as it came,considering my father was in the Army and my Mother was a relatively young woman in her early thirties,i have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration she handled the situation and struggled to carry on a normal life,without showing the slightest signs of fear or panic.We became lot more aware of the bombing as the Blitz continued as some children would not turn up for class and the headmaster used to inform us that they would not be coming any more as they had been killed in "last nights raid".I remember one night when the warden entered the Shelter and told everyone to turn out their lights as he was opening the large doot and he invited us all to come and look at the sky.It was a breathtaking sight,the whole of London was ablaze and everyone looked Red,it was something that i shall never forget,you could feel the heat on our faces and yes you could read by it,it smelled like a massive bonfire,which of course it was,we could hear explosions and Fire Engine bells all night long.These air raids used to begin at around 10.30pm and go on through the night until around 5.30am.At which time my mother used to go to work,office cleaning to earn a few shillings in order to keep going as the Army money was a pittance.She used to wald from our house all the way to AdelaideHouse,across London Bridge,every morning,whatever the weather,in order to save two-pence bus fare.She would meet a couple of friends and go sometimes around 4.30,returning home at around 8.30,in time to get us ready for school,and all this with a 1yr old baby to look after.They had to keep it quite or they could get into serious trouble for not declaring it,how miserly to treat these women in that way,it was one thing to be frightened to death by the Luftwaffe,and quite another to have to live in fear of HM Gov for trying to keep the family alive.Her wage was only a pittance,but the LandLady a Mrs Holman arrived on the doorstep every Monday morning for her 15 shillings rent,and my mother never missed one payment ,sometimes sitting in the dark as we didnt have one penny for the electric meter.This was at a time when you were hard pressed to find anyone to stop in Bermondsey at all,and most of the time looking after the Landladies property,seeing that it didnt go up in smoke.We had some very close calls with bombs dropping all around us every night,some of them so close that the Anderson shelter used to move physically in the ground,my elder sister used to refuse to go into the Shelter and said if i am going to get it i want to be above the ground,but mum insisted that her gas mask was always hanging on the end of her bed,"just in case".The Raids on Bermondsey continued for a total of 57 consectutive nights,the longest sustained bombing of any of the London Boroughs,during which there was substantial damage to the docks area and also the many factories.There was quite a substancial loss of life,with one occasion claiming the lives of several nurses and a nursing station set up atStainer Street Arches beneath London Bridge Station.It seemed that the installation of large iron doors to protect them from blast had been blown completely off of the hinges and through the length of the Railway Arch,knocking off a rising main(water)in the proces,which promptly flooded the Arch and prevented any form of rescue of the inhabitants.The arch was sealed off for a week or so before the Emergency service could enter and clean up the carnage.I did hear that thay had to hose the remains from the ceiling,but cannot vouch for its authenticity,although it would seem likely.I have many many memorise of those awful nights,but i am able to say that of all our relations that lived in Bermondsey,not one of us was killed or injured,and i thank God for that.Later on we became the subject of the Sneak Daylight raids and one particular one sticks in my mind,i am sure it has been well documented but anyway,about miday we heard what sounded like a loud roar,accompanied by lots of banging and some clatter,as we had a workman on the roof replacing some slates that had got blown off,we though he had fallen through the roof.and then we heard the rattle of gunfire and a loud Whooosh as these aircraft went ovehead.Soon the word came around that thse aircraft had been machine gunning Schools and anything elsy they could,with several scholl childre either killed or injured.We also heard that the Bank at the Red Lion(Surrey Doccks)had been hit,and hurried of up there to see if any money had been distribted by the Adolphs henchmen.We were greeted with a site of some devastion with a large fat wharehouse burning,depositing lard and dripping two feet high along the road,which several of the ladies were collecting in large bowls.The Bank had been flattened and rescue workers were searching the rubble,as young children not much notice was taken of us and we managed to get close to the scene to see if we could find any money,i did pick up a few pennies,mostly bent,and whilst searching i noticed on of the rescure workers pick up somethin,i was close enough tosee it was a human hand,a very slender human hand with rings on the finger,The Rescue wirker eased the rings from the finger(s) and placed them in a small brown envelope,wrote something on it a placed it in his pocket.This sight dampened my enthusiam for money and i came home.I never told my mother in case she told me off for going up there,but it has stayed with me all of my life,as clear now as it was then,a sad reflection of the times we lived in.After all this personal activity,the Doodlebugs and Rockets seemed a cake-walk.We can all remeber seeing the Doodlebugs,waiting for them to stop and dive earthwards as quite as a mouse and then BANG,and what a bang they made.One particular instance sticks in my mind.I think it was a Saturday afternoon.around 4 or 5 pm.My young brother was in our outside toilet doing his business,i was in our small garden doing i cant remember what,when i heard this Doodlebug approaching,is was fairly high and going like the devil,and then Phut,it stopped,began its tilt downwards,i shouted to my Brother "quick,pull them up this ones close",and remember him running out of the toilet with his trousers down(short ones),i wanted to get him into the Anderson before it struck but it was too late and i saw it had gone a few streets farther north.We actually saw the results of the explosion as it had hit what was then a Peanut wharf,Dougans i think was the name,and a whole shower of peanuts and debris flew into the air.When the dust settled we proceeded to "go and have a look"as was customary,to be greeted with all the local roads knee deep in hot burning peanuts and other sorts of stuff,i can remember even eating some of them as they were still hot.I can remember they were a heck of a long time cleaning it all up,and Government people used to frequent the site yers after the war searching for bugs and things in the old brickwork.We often laugh about the Peanut wharf and it comes up in almost every conversation we have about the Blitz.lLooking back i can have nothing but praise for the Emergency Services that put their lives on the line,the Fireman,both NFS and AFS the Nurses and doctors,ARP Wardens,Auxilliary fire firefighters special Constables,the ordinary people that would run into the street and tackle incndiary bombs with sandbags and a stirrup pump,and most of them with a smile on their faces and a joke to tell.Such people deserve admiration,and it is such a shame that it takes a war or some sort of catastrophy to bring out these qualities in people.I shall never forget my experiences during the Second World War and i am proud to have been associated with such people,a fact that i will be forever grateful.Bill Killick
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Message 1 - the london blitz
Posted on: 07 March 2004 by lizzies
I loved reading your story Bill.People are so different now dont you think?
听
Message 2 - the london blitz
Posted on: 07 March 2004 by Bill Killick
hello Lizzie,that is such a coincidence as that was my mothers name.It is a fact that peoples attitudes are now very different from what i can remember, even before the war.The community spirit was always present ,and all of our neibours were very friendly,willing to help each other with any problems.I doubt if we shall ever see the likes of those people again,this country,and indeed most of the world ,seems to be consumed by greed and selfishness.Although we had to endure some difficult times,i can honestly say that i would not swap a single day of my childhood for todays wanton society.Where are you from Lizzie,and have you any first hand experience of the 39-45 war,Kind regards Bill.....
听
Message 3 - the london blitz
Posted on: 09 March 2004 by lizzies
Hi Bill.I agree totally with you, although I was'nt born till 1948 I still remember how different things were. As a child we did'nt have much but everyone seemed to care about each other, I think greed does hold a big part in it, it is sad. Although I was'nt around during WW2 Mum and Dad have always openly spoke of the war times, so naturally it holds a great interest to me. I recently wrote a story about Charlton Railway Station that was hit by a doodlebug.
My mum was working in the Co-Op next door on that day in 1944. I mainly wrote the story as mum who is eighty now,was interested to know if anyone remembered that day. Some of the stories I have read makes me realise actually how lucky I am. I think that is why I am so interested in WW2 I appreciate what everyone did. I enjoy reading every aspect of WW2 it being military of civilian. My dad was in the Raf Regiment based in Antwerp, I have found some wonderful information on this. I would love to trace some of his old friends during that time, but obviously they are well in their eighties now.Mum was in the naafi based at Mithcam Road Barracks, Hilly Fields and Biggin Hill.She can tell some funny and wonderful stories. She often says although times were bad everyone was so different to now. It is just sad that this country does'nt care more for its pensioners.
听
Message 4 - the london blitz
Posted on: 14 March 2004 by Bill Killick
Hi Lizzie,nice to hear from you again.I think we are all a little sad at how this country has changed,mostly for the worse regarding community spirit and nice nieghbours.I think we had the best of times even though there was a World War on.Interesting to hear about your mother working for the Naafi at Biggin Hill.We often used to go there towards the end of the war and watch the fighters and trainers taking off and landing.There used to be a cafe near the White Heart Public house,and one weekend the lady that ran it let us stay and sleep out in the open,in the back garden on a matress with a couple of blankets.I will always remember looking up at the stars and being fascinated by the amount of stars visible in the inky blackness of the Kent night.The next morning she gave us all a cup of tea and some toast,in return we peeled some potatoes and carrots for the cafe.I loved Biggin hill and went whenever the oportunity arose.I learnt to fly light aircraft there in 1972,and always felt in the prescence of the fighter pilots that flew from there,it was a very uncanny feeling.I used to imagine the fighters taking off and landing on the main RAF Runway,and used to try to approach in the gentle arc of the Spitfire,a poor substitute though.Funny though,i always felt safe flying around Biggin,and honoured to be in the same airspace as those exceptionally brave young men.God bless them.I live in Sidcup now Lizzie,but have always considered myself a Londoner.I dont remember the particular Doodlebug that struck Charlton station as i think there was something of a news blackout on where these bombs were falling,as we did not want the Germans to know they were hitting London,and we used to give false reports about where they went to tempt them to alter the range and direction,i think that tactic was quite succesful,causing several Doodlebugs to fall short of the target,unfortunately in Kent,but a less populated area.Well Lizzie its been nice to hear from you again,best wishes to you and your mother,i would be pleased to hear from you again and maybe swap some more stories of your mothers experiences,and perhaps some of your own post-war experiences.Kind Regards,Bill.............
听
Message 5 - the london blitz
Posted on: 14 March 2004 by lizzies
Hi Bill,nice to hear from you.I am so glad you like the Spitfire.I love all aeroplanes of the second world war especially the Lancaster and Spitfire. I live in Kent only five minutes from Manston. When the air shows used to be held there it was fantastic, the planes would fly over my house, we would stand in the garden and watch them. The final excitement would be when the Lancaster-Spitfire-and Hurrican did their flypast, it was wonderful Bill, the noise, the Lancaster has a noise of it own, the spitfire would be coughing as he turned, the Lancaster made a turn across the fields at the back of my garden, it was so low I could see the pilot. I find the jets of today are so noisy, sometimes on a Friday a couple of Tornados visit Manston they make a terrible noise.Did you watch that programme on channel 4 a couple of weeks ago called ace pilots? about the spitfire pilots,I was so glad that young chap won the chance to fly the spitfire. Have you ever visited the Spitfire musuem at Manston Bill? it is great for anyone interested in the spitfire. I can imagine that was great fun sleeping with the stars at Biggin Hill Bill, could you imagine some of the youngsters of today wanting to do things like that. But you have some great memories of yesterday, the youngters even my two daughters don't have great memories, they have never experienced the look, sound, and smell of a steam train, I remember the Queens Coronation, red white and blue bunting hanging,the street party's, I could go on.That is wonderful that you can fly Bill, that must of been a great experience flying at Biggin Hill, did you learn to fly as a hobby? I will tell my mum about this the next time I speak to her, she will be very interested! Dad was in the Raf Regiment but he was a dispatch rider. All the very best Bill. Lizzies.
听
Message 6 - the london blitz
Posted on: 25 March 2004 by Bill Killick
hello Lizzies,hope you are keeping well.The last letter from you about Manston brought back some memories for me.I was a civilian instructor for the Air Cadet Force in the mid seventies and we used to go to Manston for flying experience.We used to fly the RAF CHipmunks,a single engine trainer.We used totake off and fly allround Margate,Ramsgate,Broadstairs,all around the coast and back to Manston,with a cadet in the rear cockpit.I used to have fun "Buzzing" the water skiers,i used to cut the motor and fly down,then open up the engine full blast into the climb.They always looked up ,with disastrous result on their part,but never came to any harm,just a bit of fist shaking as i circled around them with a bit of wing waggling.I was surprised at how big the Airfield was,the runway seemed endless and i could almost put the aircraft down across the width.I think that is was the emergency airfiels for the big jet passenger planes as they had all of the fire fighting equipment there and could lay a Foam Runway in case of fire.Also the Search and Rescue Helicopters used it as a base.Anyway Lizzie,you have your own Spitfire in its own special housing,And a real beauty it is.I contributed something towards its restoration,by the Medway Historic Aircraft Society,who were based at Rochester Airfield,and i used to go and watch the restoration taking place.That really was a labour of love.They would not release the Spitfire until it was housed in a Proper building to protect it from the weather.I trust it is still there for the enjoyment of the general public.Best wishes to you and your mother,and family,Bill.............
听
Message 7 - the london blitz
Posted on: 27 March 2004 by lizzies
Hi Bill, nice to hear from you again, I hope you are well!
You seemed to have led a very exciting life in the seventies, you did make me chuckle with your exploits with the chipmonk. I think you would of made a perfect Spitfire pilot.
The chipmonks still fly around from Manston. There is a flying club there so quite a few planes fly around. I'm afraid the rescue helicopters are not there anymore, they were moved a few years ago, which I think is mad considering the amount of coastline we have.
Manston is expanding on a weekly basis, with buildings going up for storage for the cargo planes, it is a very busy airfield. They are soon going to start holiday flights from Manston, it is a little worrying on the noise aspect of it all.
I have been speaking to Mum, she was still at Biggin Hill in 1946 as there was still service people there, she especially remembers one of the last dances, or Entertainment Concert I think she called it, one of the stars was Bonnie Colleno, he came with his wife who was an actress, he played the part of an airman in the film 'Way With The Stars' I actually have the film on video.
Mum enjoyed her time at Biggin Hill although it was wartime, she said you just enjoyed yourself because you never knew when your time was up. Mum worked very long hours in the Naafi, although she worked through the day she still had to work the bar in the evenings. Mum has bad legs now and finds it difficult sometimes, she laughs and says it was standing all them hours in the Naafi!
Mum and Dad moved from London to Folkestone a few years ago, so they are not too far away.
Although I live in Kent I am originally from London, I spent my childhood in Charlton SE7. Dad was born in Prospect Vale in Woolwich, and mum was born in Deptford.
Like you Bill I still feel and Londoner, when I first moved here I did miss it, but like everywhere else it had changed.
My husbands family come from Bermondsey, his Nan and Grandad lived on the Tyler Estate when he was young, he had Uncles who lived in different parts of Bermondsey.
It's funny Bill when I read some of the memorie stories I prefer the London ones, perhaps its because I can relate to them.
Well Bill, I hope my letter is of some interest to you, looking forward to reading more of your memories. Take care! Regards Lizies.
听
Message 8 - the london blitz
Posted on: 03 April 2004 by Bill Killick
Hello Lizzie,nice to hear from you again,i hope you are well.My best wishes to your mother,she is one of the very brave band of unsung hero's that did their bit during the war,and i have nothing but admiration for them,god bless her.Funny that you should think i would have made a good Spitfire pilot,i think that as lads we were all certain of that,but it took a certain type of man to do the things that they did,i doubt we shall see their kind again,hero's all of them.I know of the Tyler estate,they were not like the estates of today.All of the people were friendly and used to sit out late at night talking on the balconies,remember it was double summer time during the war and it was still light at 11pm during the summer.My dad used to take me down to the waterside at Mill Pond Bridge before the war and watch the tugs at night and the ships coming and Going from the Pool of London,the ships were all lit up and hooters going as they changed direction,it was a great time.I was apprenticed as an electrician at Hays Wharf after the war,your mention of Bonar Coleano brought back some memories for me.They made a film at Mark Browns Wharf,right next to Tower Bridge,and he was in it.I used to fit up the large Cargo lights on the crane jibs when they filmed at night.The film was called Pool Of London,and the scenes that were shot were of Bonar coming off of the ship and being searched by Customs officer,he had some nylons for his girlfriend that he showed them and they let him go ashore.He was a very nice man and always spoke to us on the quayside with a friendly Hi!.We watched them shoot a lot of the scenes in Bermondsey,mostly at night,along the roads around the docks.We used to get a lot of distinguished visitors when i worked for Courages the Brewers,that was at Tower Bridge as well.We had a visit from Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton,they visited a pub called the Anchor Tap,local to the Brewery.And we watched the filming of Brannigan on Tower Bridge,starring John Wayne,and he also came down to the brewery for a look around.What a great man he was,a real larger than life figure,with a permanent smile and a nod to us all.Great times Lizzie and memories i will have forever.I do feel very very fortunate to have had the experiences in life that are not available to the youngsters of today,due to the horrid times we live in what with terrorists and such.I would have liked to have chronicled my life but you know as you get older it is more difficult to get things in the right order.I am grateful to you Lizzie,for the memory jog that you have given me,helping me to recall some of the interesting and exiting that i have been fortunate enough to experience.I suspect that your mother is just as rich in her memories of times gone by that are just as pleasurable as my own.I realize that we have diversed away from the Blitz Lizzi,but i hope you find some interest in these snapshots of life in Bermondsey,during and after the war.I look forward to hearing from you again Lizzie and i wish you and your Mother all the very best of health.Best wishes Bill....
听
Message 9 - the london blitz
Posted on: 08 April 2004 by lizzies
Hi Bill,
Lovely to hear from you again, I do hope you are well!
I found your letter very interesting especially your memories of Tyler Estate, you gave my husband an insight of what it was like during the war years as like me he was'nt around then. It's strange how people have changed I don't think I have, I would willingly help anyone who needed help or support. I know most people have the material things in life but,surely family values mean something, even family's don't seem to stick together like they should.
I can feel our country is'nt the same anymore, actually I find it quite frightening sometimes, especially the things one hears on the news.
My personal opinion is we should never of gone into Iraq, I think that has stirred the world up. I feel sorry for the armed forces who are there. You may not agree with me Bill but,I don't see why they were liberated. When you look at liberation during the 2WW it actually meant something. Our brave armed forces died for this country, the civillians suffered in herendious circumstances, well you know what it was like. People carried on because it was for our country. It must of been awful night after night in the shelters, hardly getting any sleep.
Mum said, she would spend the night in the shelter bombs dropping, guns booming, he poor mum trying the best she could, then crawl out of the shelter in the morning, wash her face have a cup of tea, then make her way to work, she worked at the British Rope works in charlton. She would then spend the day on the hugh machinery half asleep making rope.
Often the sirens would go during the day. Then after work just as she was eating her dinner the sirens would go, she would leave her dinner and make her was to the shelter with her mum and the kids. She said, night after night, after night this went on, she often wondered how she ever got to work.Mum thinks that because of the worry of the war, with her father away in the Royal Artillery, it eventually killed her poor mum, who was only 44 when she died. So my mum had to give up her job at the British Ropes and stay at home and care for the children, the youngest twins were only 9. My mum had a hard time, eventually the youngest were evacuated,her sisters were due to start work, so thats when she found a job at the Co-Op in Church Lane, Charlton. Mum was only 17, she married my Dad who was 18 just before he joined the Raf Regiment. Her dad came home and was eventually given a posting closer to home because of the circumstances, also because he was 45.
Mum remembers coming home one afternoon through Charlton Park with the shopping when the sirens were going, she could hear the scream of Stukkers, and started to run, there was no one around, she knew that if they saw her they could attack her, she remembers running and running, eventually reaching home and fell into her fathers arms, she later found out that they were shooting at a school in Catford, killing children and teachers.
Then on that day when the doodlebug hit Charlton Railway station the Co-Op being next door, mum could'nt take any more, so she decided to join the Naafi. She said it was a combination of events, especially the loss of her mum.I don't know how the mums of WW2 managed, as well you know Bill, your mum worked very hard caring for the family.
Mum thanks you Bill for your kind wishes, she was pleased that you also have met Bona Calleno.
Well Bill, I hope you found my letter of some interest.
Looking forward to hear of more of your memories. Kind regards and Easter Wishes Lizzies.
听
Message 10 - the london blitz
Posted on: 09 April 2004 by Bill Killick
hello agains Lizzies,thanks for your very nice letter,it was very interesting.I can appreciate the arduous time that mothers went through during the war,my mum had two very serious ulcer operations after the war and lived with half of her stomach removed,but she still soldiered on until she was 92,she passed away four years ago,not from any particular ailment,she just went peacefully,as she deserved,i still wonder where she got her strength from as she was only slight built but very resilient.It sounds as if your mother is from the same mold God bless her.I agree with you about the invasion of Iraq,it did not seem a cause worth fighting for.This country cannot continue to fight battles all around the world,we havnt got the military power or the money.That could be better spent on our own infrastructure,such as Hospitals and more care for the elderly.We have certainly stirred up a hornets nest and i cant see how we can get out of it now.WW2 was fought for a common cause,and we knew the enemy,but we have no idea who these religous fanatics are,they are living among us just waiting for their turn to attack us,and die in the process.Lets hope that the powers that be can sort out this mess before too long....Going back to your letter about your mother running home to dodge the Stukas.I remember that particular raid very well.It was about mid-day,i was in our Kitchen(scullery)as my Mum was getting dinner,when we heard what sounded like thunder,we had a workman on our roof replacing some slates and we thought that he had fallen off,dropping his bucket of slates,but then we heard the engines and machine gun fire from the aircraft as it roared overhead,very low.About an hour or so later we heard thatit was a sneak daylight raid,as there were no sirens,and that the Bank at the Red Lion,Surrey Docks had been hit.Being kids we all made our way there in the hope of finding some money.As we approached the area there were several rescue workers and Specials clambering over the debris,we were just looking around and found some penny and halfpenny coins.I saw the rescue workers picking things up and putting them in sacks,and went over to have a look.I saw one of them pick up a ladies hand,remove the rings from it,put them in a small envelope and stick it down,I had never seen anything like that before and i can still see that hand now,it was very slender and colourless.I think then that i began to realise that war was not the fun that we had thought it was.The same airplane did in fact circle around the school in Catford,came back and machine gunned it killing teachers and children,they did not have time to go into the shelters and were told by the teachers to lay down on the floor,all in all it was a terrible tragedy and did nothing to help Hitlers war effort.We had a similar incident on the very first night of the London Blitz.We had watched the bombers set Surrey Docks ablaze,as they were full of nice raw timber,there was a direct hit on the flats in Redriff Road and the people from them were brought to my school,Keetons Road,when the bombers came back on the night the school was hit and over 400 women and children were killed,i lived in the next Road and we were sleeping in the passage when we heard the bombs explode,all of our windows were broken and i think we were very lucky that night.we learnt to leave the windows open a bit so that the blast wouldnt break them,i dont know if that worked or not,but it was very draughty.We got used to counting the bombs,they used to go in fives,if they were getting louder they were coming your way,quieter and you knew you were safe,the one that hit the school was four and the fith one fell in the next road the other side of us,so we lost both front and back windows that night.I suppose the memories that your mother has of the war are just as clear now as the day they happened,i know that mine are,some things you can never forget.It is the 60th aniversary of the D-Day landings on the 6th June and its nice to hear that people are taking an interest at last,and beginning to realise that our brave armed forces saved Europe and possibly the world from total Nazi domination.We have given enough in this world to free others,i think its time we took a back seat and looked after ourselves dont you Lizzie?Well Lizzies,i have been going on a bit and not boring you i hope,its nice to communicate with someone like you, as im afraid that most of the people today have lost sight of the sacrifices that people made during the war, in order to make this a better world for them all.My best wishes to you and your mother,and a very happy Easter to you both,and all of your family,I would love to hear from you again,and i may be able to dig up some more of my experiences for you ,Kind Regards,Bill..............
听
Message 11 - the london blitz
Posted on: 15 April 2004 by lizzies
Hi Bill,
I hope you are well and had a good Easter!
Easter is not like it used to be, I remember wearing my best clothes on Easter Sunday and going out with Mum and Dad, but no one bothers anymore.
What was Easter like Bill during wartime, I should'nt think there were Easter eggs what with the rationing!
I loved the word scullery you used for the kitchen, I remember the scullery very well, Mum said, everything happened in the scullery.
Its funny just that word can take you back, Mum rattled on for quite a while laughing about the scullery.
I loved reading you letter Bill, you remember some fasinating things.
I enjoy reading your memories they are not boring as you mentioned.
Mum was saying only the other day how you can remember things that happened years ago, but she can't remember what she did the day before! My mum is a comical lady who loves to have a good laugh, I can imagine her in the Naafi during wartime.
Do you remember pie and mash in Manzies Bill, it's funny we were all talking about it the other evening, in fact it turned into a debate, all talking a once what we would have if we were in Manzies.
Do you read alot Bill, as I have just bought a wonderful book called Fighter Boys written by Patrick Bishop, it is a must, it has some wonderful pictures also of Hawkinge, Biggin Hill etc, I am half way through it, some of the young good looking pilots, shot down in their prime, I often wonder, what a waste looking at this country now.
I read lots of books especially wartime stories, one of my favorite writers is Lilian Harry who started writing about the Nippies in Lyons tea shops, these were during wartime, lovely stories. Richard Pemberton is another writer who was born in Bermondsey.
Mum was telling me in between laughing that during an air raid every one was in their shelters when screaming came from the shelter next door, everyone popped their heads out to find out what was happening, apparently a couple of boys had thrown a stink bomb in next doors shelter. Even the ARP Warden arrived because of all the noise. But Mum especially remembers the speed their dog came out of the door, they were quite a large family anyway, everyone wondered how they all fitted in, especially the dog to.
Well Bill, I hope you found my letter of some interest, do write somemore of your wonderful memories!
Take care Bill, Kind Regards
Lizzies.
Message 1 - The London blitz
Hi Bill, I do hope you are keeping well as I have'nt had any new post from you for some time!
Kind regards Joan-Elizabeth
听
Message 2 - The London blitz
Posted on: 04 December 2004 by Bill Killick
Hello Joan,sorry for the delay in answering your last message,i have had a very busy summer,what with the horses and a bit of Motorcycling,goodness how the time flies ,its almost xmas and the last time we spoke, i think it was in June.Well i hope you are keeping well and all the family.I have bought a Digital Box for the TV and keep in touch with the 2nd WW and all the events,on the history Channel.Its first class,and i never get tired of watching the Battle of Britain and the Defeat of the Nazis,wherever it takes place.The more i watch it,the more i realise what dark days they were,and how much our parents really went through,could to-days young parents have stood it,i think not,they fight over such things as Toys and food in the Supermarkets,such people amaze me,if only we could ship them back into history for just one night of the Blitz,they may realise what a lovely life they have,all due to the sacrifices of our parents and the likes.We had absolutey nothing,but what we did have were nice people,friendly people, that you could rely on to share the last piece of bread with someone else,friend or stranger.Today's society is riddled with greed and jealousy,that breeds the most obnoxious people you could ever meet.Thinking back ,like we tend to do,even though the whole World was at war,i would gladly return to the days when people were much nicer,and families stayed to-gether.I think we had the best of that Joan,and they will never have the memories that we are lucky enough to have.Even the bad times were better than their so called good times.I will have to recall some of the happier times that we had,in the shelter,and underneath the Railway Arches in Bermondsey,because we were not going to be put down by Hitler and his Thugs,we had some lovely sing songs,Nellie Dean,and Blowing Bubbles,were two of the favourites,oh and the Quartermasters Stores,not forgetting Bless Em All,if only Hitler had known he would have givin up before he did,he thought we were all shaking in our boots.....some hopes.Well Joan,hope this hasnt been boring for you ,i get carried away once i start.Best wishes to you and your family and have a very Merry Xmas,love Bill K.................
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Message 3 - The London blitz
Posted on: 09 December 2004 by Joan-Elizabeth
Hello Bill,
What a surprise, it is so nice to hear from you again!
I'll expect you were surprised to have noticed I have a different name, I was Lizzies when I last spoke to you, there was some kind of problem, every time I tryed to sign in I was refused. Joan-Elizabeth is my real name I used Lizzies as my family have always called me by that name.
I am glad to hear you are well, and keeping busy. I have been in bed for the last week suffering with my knees, so I have only just found your letter. When I see my Specialist in January I have to decide weather to have an operation on them. My biggest fear is infection, you hear of so much now with the Hospitals being so dirty!
I have'nt had a very good time recently, in September my younger brother who was 54 was found dead after suffering a massive stroke. I still cannot come to terms with this, so I am finding every day abit of a struggle. They say time will heal.
I find the winter months drag on for so long, I prefer the summer I seem to run on Solar Energy. My family are well, although Mum is finding it tough at the moment.
We have been busy putting up the Christmas tree and decorations, we have put a lovely tree outside this year, it looks wonderful.
Merry Christmas to you Bill and your family, and a Prosperous New Year!!
Hope to hear from you soon.
With love,
Joan-Elizabeth
听
Message 4 - The London blitz
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by Bill Killick
Hello Joan,i am sorry to hear of your problems concerning the passing away of your brother,i too have just lost my younger brother to the dreaded Cancer,he was just 65,and was born in 1939,just at the beginning of the War,and really suffered all of the deprivations at the time.He suffered from Asbestosis,as he was a motor mechanic and they were not to knowledable concerning Asbestos in Brake drums in those days.They used to blow the dust out when fitting new linings,i suppose he must have breathed in lots of it over the years.Still we were spared being obliterated in the war years so we have to me thankful for that.I am sorry to hear about your knees Joan,i do hope that something can be done to ease the discomfort for you.You are right about the Infection risk in our Hospitals,they were so spotlessly clean when we had the cleaners employed by the Hospitals,but once Contractors took over the standard fell miserably,profits again,before people.Still i think that the problem has been addresed and can only improve.I dont think that Xmas is like it used to be when we were young,youngsters want so much to-day,its a wonder that the parents can afford it,no wonder they are always in debt.I remember our Xmas's through the war years,they were very sparse,but we enjoyed them very much,our stocking used to have an apple and an organge and some nuts in them,and we usually had one present,a Fort,or a Ranch,made by our Grandfather,he used to make some fine toys with the wood available.We always managed a chicken,as we had some in our garden in Bermondsey,i think we were left with one towards the end of the war,but used to get one egg every day from her to supplement our rations.Even the Bad times seem good campared to how people are Today towards each other.Well Joan,it is nice to be able to stay in contact and i hope that it all goes well for you,my best wishes to you and your family and a Very Merry Xmas to all of you.I will write to you after Xmas and let you know how well it went,or not ha ha.By for now Joan xxxxxxxxBill
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Message 5 - The London blitz
Posted on: 14 December 2004 by Joan-Elizabeth
Hello Bill,
I love to read your post you always cheer me up with your memories.
I remember the Christmas stocking, we used one of Dads socks and hung it on the knob of the bed,I remember we all had new pyjamas.
I remember having a bath and putting these lovely warm pyjams on that had been hanging on the guard round the fire. I still remember the excitement waiting for Father Christmas, my brother and I would look out of the bedroom window and watch the stars imagining Father Christmas flying through the night sky.
Our Mum would spend most of Christmas eve cooking, mince pies, little cakes with white icing on with little silver balls on top. It seems such a long time ago, but it is lovely to have memories!
I agree with you, children have too much these days, I would'nt dream of getting into debt to buy Christmas presents,when you think, they are only objects. I am shocked sometimes when my daughter goes out shopping with my grandaughter, when I complain that she is spoiling her, she replys, times have changed Mother! I don't know Bill, perhaps its because I am getting older. My Mum often comments that she preferred the old days, every on was in the same boat, one of Mums sayings.
Well Bill, things have been brought forward for my knee operation, I will be going into Hospital on Thursday, I will have a good Christmas, trying to balance on crutches.
Best Wishes to you Bill.
Joan-Elizabeth.
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