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'I am a volunteer who has entered this story on behalf of Bob Skellington who submitted this story to the People's War site and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.'

1937, possibly May 30th. I was going to work with my father, near Selfridges. There was a notice saying boy wanted, I went in and got the job at 14yrs of age. I did a half day with my father and a half day at the printing firm. I worked there till the blitz in 1940 as a apprentice printer. My home area was bombed.

The firm was called Clifford Taylor and Company. Printers bookbinders and stationers. In the same complex there was a tea and coffee blender. The smell of fresh coffee filled the area. Also there was an antiquarian book dealer called JG Hewkin, he’d have his books for sale outside on the pavement (where Selfridges is now) Next door was a café called Chester Café. I used to cook dinners for the work men, there was a jug of soup for a trepence). I used to be cheeky and pinch the soup out the back.
A milk bar was also opened around the corner selling ice cream, milk shakes called ‘Uneeda’ Milk Bar.

Working at the printing firm me and another lad had to print gift cars giving out a free drink of coca cola. We took lots of cards and got lots of free cokes!!!

There was a high class tobacconist called Jamesin - they sold to the "gentlemen" of the area. I'd go in there and I loved it! The smell especially - they used to treat me like a gentleman calling me "young Sir".

Gouldborn - row of shops [6/7 different shop fronts].
The first one was a highclass green grocery, two bananas [threepence]. Other shop fronts showed all the chesses, all the bacon and ham, all fowls, meat pies/pork pies, which you could buy by the slice.
They all got bombed.
Other specialist shops were also there - stamp and coin dealers. Two famous pubs - Blue Boar and the Slip Inn - connected with songwriter Lesley Stewart - "Lilly of Lagoona" a very popular song.

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