大象传媒

I was age 6 when war started, and all of our family lives were to change. At school I, Agnes Johnstone, was not aware of anything different as I had nothing to compare. Only the sticky paper being put on all the school windows let us know that something out of the ordinary was happening.
My father was a lifeboatman in the town, and now his duties escalated as he became a Coastguard, and all of his spare time seemed to disappear into performing these duties at what was called "The Lookout" at Ayr beach.
As the years passed, at times when I was considered more responsible I had to take sandwiches and tea down to the Lookout as he didn't have time to come home from work.
However the biggest disruption took place with the departure of my brother, George Johnstone to the Merchant Navy. He was 11 years older than me, and my constant companion and minder as our mother had died when we were both very young.
I started and continually wrote to him through all the years which he spent away. Many shocks were to come and much information too about his experiences in all parts of the world. He arrived home at numerous times having been torpedoed on Atlantic convoys. But I think his worst experiences occurred when he was on "the oil run" transporting oil from Abadan to American air bases in Iceland. Many men drowned or were burned to death in one of these tragic events, and my brother appeared in the lane to our home in clothes too big for him and nothing left of any of his possessions. The Seaman's Missions were the ones who collected clothes to kit out the unfortunate seamen.
It was perhaps only after this event that I could understand the terrible dangers that he faced. As everwhere he went in the world, South Africa, West Africa, The Middle East, Egypt, Australia, Canada, and Iceland he sent or brought souvenirs to me.
The only ones which remain in my possession are the two silk handkerchiefs from Iceland embroidered with "Island 1943" and the national flag.
My brother collapsed and died at age 40 and I often think that the many bad experiences he suffered during the war must have impaired his health.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.