大象传媒

I was born at home on the 17th August 1940 the second child and first son of Herbert and Anne James. My mother said that I delivered myself.
I have read that seven days later the first bombs fell on East Dulwich.
My first recollections were of sharing. A knock at the door would produce 'windfall' apples or sometimes a jelly.
Our terrace house in Archdale Road was small. Two up and two down. No bathroom and coal was kept in the cupboard under the stairs.
We acquired a Morrison shelter which eventually served as a refuge for three children and three greyhounds and was located in the main room at the back of the house. My father was a keen dog racer as both Catford and New Cross dog tracks were nearby. Our favorite dog was called Rocky.
Next door lived the Hoare's. They had a an Anderson shelter which we I believe we also shared. One of the son's. Keith, was a Bevin boy and I remember wearing his black miner's helmet.
Of the conflict, my recollections come in different ways. I have a clear memory of my mother sweeping up broken window glass probably from a bomb blastand of the different coloured uniforms of RAF and Army and a green beret of the young men in our street and the black helmet of our ARP warden whose surname was Warden.
I can remember the drone of aircraft engines and standing with my mother in Dulwich Park and seeing in daylight a huge flight of aircraft going over. This may have been the D-Day air support.
I can remember my father helping to calm a lady who was screaming. Her cheeks were bright red and she was wearing a black straw bonnet. Her name was Mrs Vine.
What I don't recall are the sounds associated with air raids though there must have been many.
We were evacuated to Eccles, near Manchester sometime after the V bombs started to fall. I think this was called Operation Rivulet.
My mother decided to return to London due to the primitive nature of our accommodation. I do remember a large hall where the evacuees were gathered which could have been a Town Hall.
My mother said that the train journey back was horrendous and that we lost everything of value.
Jeff James

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