大象传媒

(This story was submitted to the People's War site by David Thacker, a volunteer from 大象传媒 Radio Northampton, on behalf of "Jane", who wishes to remain anonymous, and has been added to the site with her permission. "Jane" fully understands the site's terms and conditions.)

I was six when the war broke out, the second of five children. Dad was a Sergeant in the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. We lived in Liverpool but when the Blitz started, my elder sister and I were evacuated to stay with a family in Shrewsbury for a short time before we joined my Mother and other sisters in rural Lancashire.
In late Summer 1941 I recall that we kids learnt from my Mother of my Dad鈥檚 death in a road accident in Shropshire. My Mother had been woken up in the middle of the night by a Policeman. But, in those days, children were to be seen not heard, and it was never really discussed with us. Dad had a Military funeral in Liverpool and we eldest three children attended.
On one particular day, I think after the funeral, my big sister, my brother and I, all experienced visions of my Father. In my case I vividly recall Dad, in his uniform, speaking to a well dressed man in a suit, who I can still picture today. Dad was sort of introducing us kids to this man. He said something about each of us, and, when he got to me, he said, 鈥淭his is my second daughter, she鈥檚 alright, but a bit stupid at times!鈥�
When I related this to my Mother, she said: 鈥漈hat鈥檚 just your Dad would have said.鈥�
After several moves, including a return to Liverpool, we kids ended up placed with separate families in the same area of Shropshire. I can still remember feeling so sad at the War鈥檚 end when Dads were coming home with kit bags on their shoulders, and of course we weren鈥檛 to have that experience.

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