大象传媒

I was a schoolboy evacuee, uprooted from my home in SE London soon after the start of WW2, where I remained for over four years. As German air raids intensified against the SE of England, the area soon became known as 'bomb alley'. I was billeted close to a newly improvised school, established within a large private house, which lacked adequate facilities for learning science, chemistry, woodwork or art. However, I did witness a number of momentous events unfold both in the air and on the ground.

Firstly, during 1940 I had a 'front row seat' as the Battle of Britain raged overhead. Being a teenager, without experience of war and what it really meant, I found it rather exhilerating and exciting to watch, especially when a German aircraft was shot down, or if a pilot baled out. When any of us spotted a parachute open, we would race off to the woods and fields outside the village, dreaming of capturing a German pilot. Alas, all we ever captured were empty bullet cases and pieces of shraphnel lying on the ground, which we later swapped for military cap badges, foreign stamps and marbles!

As war progressed, I became accustomed to the wail of air raid sirens, nightly blackouts, clothing coupons, rationing (no bananas!), spam ... even rabbit stew!

Then, during 1943-44, as the tide turned in favour of the Allies, I experienced the awesome sight and sound of 1,000 or more Allied bombers, filling the skies on their way to carry out daylight bombing raids on Germany.

In retaliation, the Germans unleashed VI (nicknamed 'doodle-bugs'), primarily at London. Many passed overhead in broad daylight, making an ominously loud droning noise. We all cheered like mad whenever the Spitfires and Hurricanes managed to explode them in mid-air. Alas, many did get through, despite the ceaseless efforts of out gallant airmen.

During the first half of 1944 a Canadian armoured division was billeted in the woods outside Rotherfield, in preparation for the 'D-Day' landings. I recall, with some amusement, the tank drivers trying hard to avoid the corner of the village pub during their training manoeuvres - not always successfully! I delivered newspapers daily around the village at that time and was puzzled why Canadian soldiers were often in one particular house. Years later, after I began my National Service, I found the answer!

In July 1944 I transferred temporarily to another SE London School located at the Sayers Croft Camp, Ewhurst, Surrey, where I remained for five months. Conincidentallly, the camp and some of its evacuees were featured in the 大象传媒1 TV Regional News Programme screened between 6.30-7.00pm on 5 April last.

Finally, at the end of 1944 I returned home to SE London to an infinitely more dangerous environment! Each night was spend in one of the specially constructed street shelters, complete with bunks, loos, etc, for this was a very dangerous period when the Germans indiscriminately launched unseen V2 rockets against London, regardless of the inevitable civilian casualties. During one sleepless night a V2 rocket exploded less than half a mile away. Early next morning I put on my tin hat and ventured forth to discover that a goods train had been hit and was hanging perilously over a bidge. In addition, every shop window in a wide area was blown out - I could have just reached in and removed all the contents free of charge!

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