大象传媒

My father, John Watson was born in Leek signed onto The Royal Marines, under age, during World War 1. His contract ended in the 30ties, but due to the depression, he could find no employment. He re-enlisted for a further period with the Royal Marines. He married my mother, nee Gladys Ada Green. She ran a dry cleaning shop, just off the market square in Leek. There was a photograph of a man in Royal Marine uniform and others, after a wedding, type group. I am not sure whose celebration it was.

My father鈥檚 service was due up at the beginnings of hostilities of World War 2. He continued his duties, and was at the end of the German Europe hostilities released early in the long service first release group. He ranked as a sergeant, but his pension was not full, as he had broken service, although he could have done twenty-seven years under the flag.

My parents moved my elder brother, David, three years my senior and I to Brighton, as they leased a guesthouse to run as their peacetime occupation. The building was called St Margarets Lodge, St Margarets Place, Brighton. (Telephone Brighton 24439.) The hotel business enabled to send my brother and myself to public school, Brighton College, Eastern Road, Brighton. The business was lost when the lease was not renewed. Posners, A.V.P. limited, who owned the Metropole Hotel were the freeholders of our home. The area was developed. Sussex Heights, a high-rise block of flats, stands on our lodge and St Margarets Church.

I recall, in my time in Leek, I was awake at night and my mother was saying the bombers are going over to Coventry again.

I recall the brilliant sunny day we arrived in Brighton. The taxi drive down Queens Road, I was in the back seat and when we arrive on the sea front, the silver of the West Pier made a strong impression on me. The two piers of Brighton were still cut to prevent enemy landings.

Children played in the streets then and no one worried. Bread and also laundry delivery wagons were still drawn by horse.

I was in a gang of small children opposite the top end of Queensbury Mews in Regency Square, when an older boy came up to us and said the Japanese had surrendered. (No mention of Atom Bombs). It must have been August.

Some evening later, I was in a mixed group of adults some in uniform, possibly Yanks and Canadians, and we had a bonfire in Russell Square. The flames of which were so high they were reaching the telephones wires. It got darker and we all moved down to the forecourt of the West Pier. The small racing cars were going round the circular track and people were happy. This must have been V.J. Night.

As an eighteen year old I join the Royal Air Force, a three year contract, and severed in fighter command at R.A.F. Duxford and at the end of my service at Martelsham Heath, 12 and 11 Group Command. I actually painted a small inspection cover for a Hurricane Fighter Plane, Battle of Britain Flight. The Polish flight sergeant in charge O.K.ed it. My service number was 4203137.

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