大象传媒

My grandfather left school at fourteen. He went to work at Ransomes, the famous engineering company in Ipswich, just by the docks. He was first employed making their Steel Shovel. But as War came Ransomes switched to making tank armour and small munitions. He was colour-blind and was not called up. He was a Fire Warden.

Ipswich suffered at least fifty serious air-raids. Ransomes was one target (as was, maybe more, the engineering firm, Cranes). One day a type of bomb, that normally primed itself before landing with a screw, landed unexploded. Somebody unscrewed the bomb himself, and unfortunately blew himself up.

We have a reminder of the war in our family. That is 13 to 16 inch long mahogany table. My Great-Grandfather, with permission, had salvaged three or four panels from a bombed-out house. It was then made into the table.

Related to Ipswich Museum by Mr B.Elmy's Grandson, who has written his agreement with the People's War House Rules.

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