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Life for a five year during 1940 in Pembury was a mixture of the unexpected the terrifying and the ordinairy.

Going to school, rushed to the air raid shelter, bombs in the field close to Pembury Infants & Junior School. Being picked up hurriedly by father and wrapped in a blanket — another night in the shelter.

Mum off to work in the hop fields, which meant extra rations and time off school for children who did their bit.
Then in 1944 because of the V1 ‘Doodlebug’ threat evacuated to Wales. Standing on the station saying to Mum ‘Do I have to kiss you in front of all these people?’ Long journey to Wales, shunted into a siding en route where a friendly train driver and his fireman gave them water to drink. When she returned after evacuation Mum could not understand what she was saying, because she spoke fast and with a very strong South Wales accent!

Father volunteered for the army in spite of being in a reserved occupation. Volunteers did so for the duration, but Private Keel got it wrong and did not return home until 17th January 1946. His important contribution to this child’s life was his ability to queue repeatedly for chocolates and sweets at the Naafi. These were stored in a biscuit tin, which on return from leave contained a cake lovingly baked by Mum

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