大象传媒

In memory of Reginald Gordon H.M.S. Repulse.

I lived in a little country place called Carntall, situated a few miles from Belfast. These are a few memories I have of WW2. I can remember the night Belfast was bombed, we could see the enemy planes flying over our house, the sky looked bright red as the city burned. We spent the rest of that night in an air raid shelter; it just looked like a big hole dug in a field. I was very frightened. We went there lots of times. We always took blankets, pillows and even Thermos flasks with us.

I also remember my eldest brother Reggie joining the Navy. I just remember seeing him home on leave once, in his sailor suit as I called it. He was in the H.M.S. Repulse, which was sunk off Malaya by a Japanese air torpedo attack. One day as I recall a neighbour came to our school to take my other brother, two sisters and myself home, when we got there my Mum was crying, our house seemed to be full of friends and neighbours, I knew something bad had happened but I just didn鈥檛 understand what was wrong, my Mum had just heard the Repulse had been sunk my brother was missing and presumed drowned, he was only nineteen years old.

Our Auntie took us aside and told us to try to be good for our Mummy. My Dad was in the Army so she was bringing us up on her own.
I remember our home was very sad and quiet for a long time after that.

By Jean Gordon McClean.

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