大象传媒

These accounts were passed by Ray Rands to Denis Price of the 大象传媒 People's War Team at the 大象传媒 Open Centre, Hull.

PART ONE.

I lived in Patrington from the 8th of November 1938 until 1954, in the western part of the Hildyard Arms with my mother and sister Dorothy and brother Donald, another brother Tony, was born in 1945. My dad had gone to war so I was now head of the family looking after my brothers and sister. I was a bit frightened that my dad might get killed or something. Other kids at school had dads who were Prisoners of War(POW's). My dad was called up for the RAF aged thirty six in May 1940, he was a horseman and farmworker all his life, he became a cook and butcher and served in India, Iceland,South Africa and Norfolk. He was with T.E.Lawrence(of Arabia) at Bridlington then known as Aircraftsman Shaw. He served 21years was de-mobbed and re-enlisted, he was a Burma Star holder.

Bombing and Crashes etc.

A good view of Hull Blitz in May 1941, searchlights with planes silhouetted, could see land mines on parachutes, very noisy and frightening. I used to hide under the table when incendiary bombs fell on south side of the village, house caught fire. Lots of dud bombs fell, made by slave workers in Germany. I used to pick up dud bombs which did not explode and take them to R.O.C. Post for a penny each then sneak back and pinch so many and get paid twice, war made you a quick learner.
Saw bomber over Withernsea in daylight raid,, two bombs fell, one on bowling green, killed some soldiers, one on butcher's shop(Lears) Queen Street, now Suttons, it blew Woolworths window out, machine gun bullet holes can still be seen above shop.
An R.A.F. Hampden bomber crashed with a full load near Holmpton Road. LysanderArmy plane crashed in sea, pilot bailed out near Trinity House Farm. Junkers 88 shot down by Spitfire near Ottringham Baulk, it dropped a rubber boat in Patrington Haven at what is now the entrance to the caravan park. When I went to see the plane at Ottringham(aged 10) got a clip for going, dad guarding it for the Home Guard.
Heinkel bomber shot down on Hollym Carrs by Hurricane, blood and guts everywhere. Pilot's leg hanging in burnt parachute on railway signal. Got bits of cockpit windscreen glass to make rings. Dad went later, got a pair of flying boots with bullet holes in one of the soles, had a motif on,crossed Union Jacks, made in Birmingham. Felt pieces of flesh in dyke, lots of blood, late for school, told teacher all about the tragedy. After school, schoolmate Harold Batty killed instantly while going to crash, stepped in front of bus.
Lancaster bomber in River Humber.

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