大象传媒

I was 17 when the war started. I remember the planes coming over and bombing Filton. They missed the buildings they were after but hit the shelters. A lot of people were killed that night. It was heartbreaking. They came back about 2 days later to finish the job. A squadron of hurricanes or spitfires brought some bombers down and split them up. It was frightening - one hell of a noise.

Some bombs landed in Southmead estate. Castle Street was levelled and Old Market was hit.

My trade was aircraft fitter.

We used to go dancing in Shepherd's Hall in Old Market.

In Shetland Rd there was a wooden building, a community centre beside St. Stephen's church and we danced there, had games, a youth club and all sorts.

There were a few camps around the area and soldiers used to come to the dances. We had to carry gas masks and use ration books with points for clothing.

I remember the girls in their dresses. We did the jitter-bug dance.

I was a tool-maker and I was in the Home Guard, working at the Rocket site at Portishead.

WE ate chicken and rabbit.

We all had to carry gas masks - all the time. Babies were put inside a large gas mask. They were afraid of gasses, eg. mustard gas. They used to make gasses at Avonmouth

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