大象传媒

As a heavy goods driver I was in a reserved occupation. However my friend joined the RAF and as he looked so smart in his uniform I thought I'd join up too. I had no fear about this, it didn't occur to me at all when I volunteered.

My family were living in Upton, East London, but as the bombing got worse we decided to move out to Essex in 1940. I bought a property in Essex; 20 acres near Chelmsford. Here we grew crops for 20 years until I retired 30 years ago.

I served for six years in the RAF throughout the war, initially stationed in Iceland. The journey there was a long one. First by train to Glasgow, then onwards by ship. Fortunately there were never any incidences on the journey. About 800 of us went, including Americans. They had a very large base near Reykjavik, putting Iceland on the map. Our accommoadation was in a hut. Aircraft came over from the USA and were refuelled here. We helped maintain the motor transport on the base.

Iceland was very beautiful. Summers were a bit like here with snow in the winter. We got on well with the local people. They spoke English as it was their second language. There was no bombing in Iceland. Also there was no rationing so we managed to bring back loads of sweets for everyone. being in the RAF we didn't have a problem with food. Got parcels from overseas, as well as America. You could have as much as you wanted, as long as you had the money.
In Iceland the locals abstained from alcohol. The British government bought in supplies of beer. The Icelandic government turned a blind eye to this.

I left Iceland in 1942, having caught TB. I was then stationed at St.Johns Wood in London. Lord's cricket ground was occupied by the RAF and here, as a motor transport fitter, I maintained and repaired vehicles. There was not a lot of driving though, as they had other people to do that.

In Chelmsford the bombing wasn't too bad, though getting around could be a problem. People got complacent and didn't always go down into the air raid shelters. They wanted to watch the bombs dropping in the distance. Marconi's factory in the town was hit, killing several people. The V1 doodlebugs weren't all that bad; it was the V2s that got people very scared.

I enjoyed being in the RAF. Had a lot of fun with comrades. You tended to remember the nice parts rather than the bad bits.

(PK)

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