- Contributed by听
- viewofbristol
- People in story:听
- JOHN RICHARD FLOOK
- Location of story:听
- MY V.E. DAY
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A4036222
- Contributed on:听
- 09 May 2005
I was born on the 17 of April 1942 and so on V.E. day I was only just over 3 years old.I have no memoties before this date or for some considerable time efterwards.
My dad carried me down the hill to near the bottom of our road.There, on what I now know to be a bomb site,there was a huge bomb-fire burning.We dont have bon-fires round here.I had never seen anthing like it before.The flames were licking up into the air and it was so bright with its light.Up til now night had always been dark,also,I think the days.
Then I noticed the people,they were dancing in the street.It was as if their feet were not touching the ground.They were full of happiness and smiles.
There was the sound of a piano and there it was at an angle from the two steps up to mrs Hares doorway.Here the hill is steep and the piano was proped against the wall so that it should not roll down the hill.The lady was playing with cigarette in mouth its ash always about to drop. She was playing like a person possest,as indead she was.There was no stool and she was hopping up and down in tune with the dancers.For the first time in my life EVERYBODY was all SMILES.
I was stood on the ground and was lifted into sombodies arms.I thought that it was mum or dad.But it was not.I viewed a sight that I had never seen before.I saw a black round face,with large white eyes,that sparkled with joy and love.On the head was a karkie hat.I then noticed that he was wearing what I now know to be a uniform.On his armwere three stripes.He was a black seargent.He was an american.He then carried me home to bed and I never saw him again.But the memory of that night will live with me for ever.
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