大象传媒

I was born in March 1939 in Pretoria, South Africa. My parents came back to Glasgow by boat with me as a new baby as he had worked for Yarrows on the Clyde building naval vessels. Our house in Glasgow was bombed - a complete mess. I remember going into the air raid shelter in the garden - it was very cold and damp. Vivid memories of having to go to school in Glasgow with a gas mask round my neck and my name on a tag. I was always worried as there were no lights and I kept thinking I would miss my bus stop. I was only five years old. They used to call the stops out.

On V.E. Day my Dad got the car out - never used. All his brothers, my cousins etc climbed in, on and over it and we all drove into the centre of Glasgow. Lights on, bells - singing - I was so amazed by it all.

My mother took my little brother and I back to South Africa on one of the first troop ships to take wives and families back to South Africa. All the women and children were in huge cabins, the men were well below deck in hammocks. Three weeks in very cramped conditions - always worried as there were still anti-subs etc. This was an amazing esperience. Nuns on the ship set up a Nursey for all the children. We had our first fruit and white bread.

My father then managed to gradually re-build our home, as well as working re-building power stations for Yarrows.

Where we lived there was a prisoner of war camp. As children we walked up and sat outside the wire talking to them. They carved little boats etc and gave them to us.

Another vivid memory was the arrival of Americans giving us chewing gum, chocolate etc. I also remember going to the Baby Clinic with my baby brother. We all received orange juice or rosehip syrup, which we loved.

I remember the "Rag Lady" who used to visit our house, she was a type of gypsy, she brought odd bits of cups, saucers etc which were impossible to buy. It was a great event. Mum gave her rags in return. We all loved her and waited for her arrival. She used to carry them all on her head in a large bundle.

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