大象传媒

This story was contributed by Gerald Bradley, 74 years old, who was growing up in Castledawson during the war. It is told more or less in his own words;

I was 8 years old when WW2 commenced and lived in a quiet little village in South Derry called Castledawson. Most of the villagers were employed in the Linen Factory of J.A .Clark. The house where I lived was on the edge of Moyola Park Estate.

Within months of the outbreak of war Nissan Huts were being erected where possible between the large Beech trees and all around the perimeter of the estate. Early in 1940 the first troops started arriving. English regiments came and went until 1942.
For four years our village became a hive of activity!

With our house being within yards of the camp it was exciting times for us young lads. The Guard House was directly behind us and we would watch the 'changing of the guard' on a square outside our window. At night time while lying in bed you could hear the sentry shouting 鈥淗alt who goes there?!鈥�...鈥滱dvance three paces and give the password!鈥�
Every evening the 'bugler' would stand outside the guard house and play the 'Last Post'. Likewise in the early morning 'Reveille' would be sounded.

Security was very tight with the English regiments and no entry was allowed into the camp.

The English soldiers soon befriended the villagers and with the camp being so close to our house we had a steady stream of soldiers calling in. My mother baked a lot of soda bread (of which they were very fond!) and she made umpteen cups of tea.

I particularly recall members of the Gloucester Regiment. Names that come to mind after 60 years are Bill Hinton, Fred Jeffers (both regimental policemen who would have rode around on motorbikes) and the incorrigible Benny Benson who seemed to spend the majority of time confined to barracks for misdemeanours!

In the village was a large hall that was occupied by the soldiers and used as a NAAFI. It was also used for E.N.S.A concerts when visiting stars would perform. Locals were invited and it was great to hear 100's of voices singing the old wartime songs.

The local cafes did great business.... menu favourites being egg, sausages and chips with tea and bread and butter.

We locals had to get used to food rationing and the 'Black Out' when you were not allowed to put lights on in the house until you had pulled heavy dark curtains.

During the war years the government were always bringing out slogans such as ; 'Careless Talk Costs Lives'... urging us be to aware of the possibility of spies and information getting through to the enemy.
The |鈥橠ig for Victory鈥� slogan in particular prompted our local factory owner to donate a large field on the edge of the village. This was subdivided into plots which were allocated to those without gardens.
I remember the friendly banter and chatter they engaged in on a summers evening as they tended to their plots. They mostly grew potatoes, leeks, cabbage, carrots and lettuce.

Anyone that owned a car back then took it off the road as petrol was scarce and only issued to the likes of taxis and essential businesses.
One had to be careful if out walking or cycling on the roads after dark as all vehicles had special covers on their headlights and were not always visible.
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On America entering the war the British troops withdrew and Castledawson played host instead to the GI's of the 82nd Airborne Regiment.
But thats another story!

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