大象传媒

Apart from the occasional wisp of cloud, the skies over the riverside village of Paull on the afternoon of July 1st 1940 were clear and bright.

As a nine year old village boy I played out in the street, with the loan of my school mate Raymond Garbutt's large silver coloured Chad Valley toy revolver, I had already shop up Miss Hutchenson's Post Office, four coloured inkwells, two Indians and a passing dog and I thought I would take a pot-shot at the aeroplane which was flying overhead.

I peeled a shot off, I did not expect the anti-aircraft shell which burst in close proximity to the plane to happen so quickly.

As no air-raid siren had sounded, it was a big surprise to hear the whistle of a bomb or bombs being dropped, accompanied in very quick time by a almighty bang.

Immediately a tall plume of smoke and a flame was seen to be coming from the direction of Saltend Works.

With the other boys who were playing in the street, we were all in favour of walking past the shipyard to see what exactly was going on, but our idea's were quickly curtailed by concerned Mums who rushed us home.

It was about this time that the siren blew to inform us of the on-going air-raid, I thought, I only had one shot at the thing and now look what's happened.

The smoke was still highly visible until well after our tea-time and were all extremely nervous as to what would happen in the hours to come if any bombers returned, as we felt they must do considering the good marker they had with which to guide them.

We spent a very stressful night trying hard to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs until it was time for school the next morning.

I cannot remember anyone telling us at the time that the German plane involved was believed to have been shot down somewhere near Hornsea, possibly before giving out any information back to its home base.

Records now show that this incident turned out to the first ever day-light bombing raid on England and the night the fire fighters concerned in tackling the blaze, earned five George Medals between them.

I ofter wonder "What happened to Garbo's Chad Valley Revolver?"

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