大象传媒

This story was added by Olivia Cubberley at the 大象传媒 Open Centre, Hull with the kind permission of Mr Percy Smith.

I was 5 years of age when the 2nd World War started. My first impressions were the excitement of my elder brothers, Reg, George and Tony. George (Ginger) couldn't wait to join the army. He did so on the day war was declared. Reg then entered the Royal Navy and Tony, who only had sight in one eye, managed to enlist as a steward in the Merchant Navy.

We lived in St Leonards, Hastings - a typical middle class family. My father was a bus inspector for the Maidstone and District buses.

So with my brothers all actively engaged in the war it was my turn to be involved. On the 26th July 1940, my school, St Pauls Primary, was evacuated to Bedfordshire. I was in a small group with 2 teachers who went to Houghton Conquest - near the Great Stewartby Brickyards.

I was billeted with a crippled maiden lady and her 15 year old niece. During my 3 years stay with them, they treated me very kindly, always plenty of treats. We had no electicity in the house, the lavatory was in a wooden shed in the garden and the water was pumped up in the scullery.

At school I was bullied, initially, probably, because I had a mild form of autism, but eventually I had the consolation of a dog (jack russell) - he soon sorted out my detractors.

Near Houghton Conquest, at Kempston, there was an Italian POW camp and I quickly made friends with an Italian soldier when they were out for exercise. Two lonely souls joined in a common humanity.

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