大象传媒

I left school in September 1939 at the start of the war. I was an apprentice toolmaker at Metal Castings, Droitwich Road, Worcester, doing what was then described as 'esential work' (war work). This includud the manufature of nose caps for shells, and various other munitions.
During this time is was the threat of air raids and a section was formed to spot enamy aircraft. I joined this section and we all took turns in manning a roof top observation post twenty four hours a day. One night I wsas on duty when there were air raids very close at hand but I was never there at a time when we actually sent all the five/six hundred employees to the shelter despite the fact that we cold see the effects of air raids on Birmingham.The system was such thatwe actually had to to see enamy aircraft or a red alert had to be posted by the air raid precaution headquarters for the area. Although it was a responsible job being only only fifteen years of age I don't think the full gravity of the situation was realised. Despite this responsiblity I look back upon it as an amusing period as we were always in teams of two often sharing shifts with some remarcable peculiar people.
My other memry of hte was is being a member of the Worcestershire County Police Service Motor Cycle messenger's Team.I had a 350cc Triumph motor cycle. This group was formed in case the telephone system was bombed out of use. Then it would have been use as a service between organisations such as the Police, Fire service, County Council and air defence systems.The one person and address I remember we had to commit tomemory was what was,or would have been a commisioner in the case of the breakdown of sivil order Sir Alan Cobbham, of Aircraft refuling fame who lived in Malvern.

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