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Father moved family from Southampton to Bishops Waltham due to night raids. Lived at Northbrook House and I had the run of the grounds and it became like my property. Father cycled to work at Southampton (12 miles away) and I caught bus to Fareham for school. Father in reserved occupation as electrician.

One night the incendiaries fell on Bishops Waltham and mother got us out of bed. One bounced off the tiled roof of the stable and fell onto car in yard which burst into flames. Father tried to put out with stirrup pump but I called to tell him it could be booby trapped and as he walked back to house it exploded so he was lucky to be alive.

High explosive bombs then fell nearby attracted by the fire and demolished a farmhouse and killed the two old ladies in it. No military in area so odd it was targeted.

When in Southampton a bomb fell in street nearby and as they were small no real damage was made - just holes in walls.

My poor mother had an ear open all the time for the sirens. For years after war she was unable to sleep.

All family survived the war.

I could not get hold of binoculars during war but would have liked to. Southampton was occupied by British or American troops. An English soldier had a pair of binoculars round his neck and I asked to use them but he said no. Just then a group of P47s flew directly overhead and he looked up and said they were Spitfires but I said no they are Thunderbolts — and I was right. I can identify 100 aircraft and also draw them.

American soldiers were very nice and more liberal with their equipment and allowed us children to climb on the vehicles. Would also pass on their clothing and boots which were all of very good quality. Very generous and easy with children. Always gave us candy and one crossed the street when I was walking with my mother to give me candy bars.

English soldiers not so generous except for the Pioneer Corp, a group of soldiers who were unable to be in regular army and worked down on docks to unload ships. They would ask my mother to read their letters or send letters for them and they would bring whole round of cheese and tin of toffees as gifts at a time when rationing was still in operation.

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