大象传媒

I was born in 1936, the youngest by far of 6 brothers and 1 sister. One brother, preferably called Raymond, was born 1916 and served in the Royal Navy throughout the war. To the best of my knowledge and belief the majority of his service was spent on one ship, a destroyer, HMS Adventure.

Sometimes I think I will check on the wartime record of HMS Adventure, but never seem to get around to it! A large photo of the ship had pride of place on the mantelpiece.

I am not sure of the year, except it was 1943 or 1944, and Raymond came home on a rare leave. He brought with him, from where I don't know, a large bunch of bananas.

Born 1936 perhaps I had seen bananas before, if I had, I didn't remember them. Amid the excitement of Raymond's homecoming my mam took the bananas and hung them in the window to complete their ripening.

That was it. Children - and I believe a few adults came from streets around to gawp at these exotic fruits. I was questioned closely by schoolfriends as to their taste and feel. That was the Thompson's wartime bananas and brief period of fame in Parkfield, Stockton-on-Tees.

The strange thing is I cannot remember actually eating a banana! I know I did as I know I probably got more than my fair share being the baby of the family, but I cannot remember actually eating one.

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