大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Simon Harris and has been added to the website on behalf of Rudolph (Ron) Austin with his permission and they fully understand the site's terms and conditions.

I was 12 years old and living in Gravesend when one sunny morning I went to visit my friend, Alan Gurr, who lived in a shop. I wanted Alan to come and play but he had work to do for his dad. But his father鈥檚 business had two bikes and I was happy to go with Alan on his errand.

We set off to a baker鈥檚 shop in another part of town where our bikes were loaded up with loaves of bread that were twice as long as standard. When we arrived back at Mr Gurr鈥檚 shop he sent us on with our cargo to the jetty. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the mass of tiny boats that were waiting on the Thames when we got there. On one boat a sea scout was playing beautiful music on a trumpet. In all, Alan and I made three journeys with the large loaves of bread before the boats were towed to Ramsgate prior to crossing the channel to Dunkirk.

After delivering the bread, Alan and I went off playing. I never thought any more of it until two days later on another beautiful day I saw soldiers returning in full kit including great coats.

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