大象传媒

My home was in South Manchester during World War Two, an area which seemed to be on the receiving end of misaimed bombs destined for the industrial parts of Manchester.

One night the warning sirens were not followed by the usual drone of bombers, so my mother sent me to bed, hoping the all clear would still follow. This was not to be and as soon as I had fallen to sleep an almighty bang prevented my slumbers, rapidly followed by my mothers screams. I dashed downstairs into the comparative safety of our converted cellar.

A bomb had landed a couple of houses away, but what I did not know at the time was that a jagged slice of glass from my bedroom window was embedded in my pillow, a mere half inch from where my head had been.

As our house was badly damaged, we had what passed for repairs during the war carried out. During this time I was sent to stay with an aunt who lived in Chaddesdon on the outskirts of Derby. Here I spent an idyllic holiday watching the Home Guard drilling, or supporting Derby County.

I don鈥檛 recall how long I remained in Derby, but I do remember being put into the care of the LMS Guard on the train back to Manchester, because he shared his sweet ration with me.

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