大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Claire White of 大象传媒 Scotland on behalf of Joan MacMillan and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I started school in September 1939 and that was the start of the Second World War. I was 5 years of age.

Aberdeen was where I lived during the war and my memories are very vivid of these 6 years. The war finished when I was 11 years of age.

We were given gas masks in a cardboard box and woe betide any child coming to school without their gas mask. We had fire drill everyday of how to stand up in class, get into line in pairs and march quietly from the class (no running) to the shelters in the playground area.

I went to Causewayend Primary School which is still there today. When at home every household was allocated to a shelter nearby which was shared by many neighbours when there was an air raid. We knew without being told to take your favourite toy and a blanket and be ready for a very quick run to the shelter. Sometimes it was all night. We had many people (adults and children) killed in the bombings in Aberdeen. In 1943 we had a very bad air raid, especially round about our school and where I lived.

My father was an engine driver and he was on duty in Kittybrewster railway yard when it had a direct hit. Our church got a direct hit, Causewayend Church and even our school and the house I lived in, Canal Street, which was alongside the railway. Some of my classmates were bombed out and were put up in local church halls, even St Peter's Graveyard was bombed. I could even see human bones, sckulls, etc.

My experience has helped me cope with life very well. I am now 71 years old.

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