大象传媒

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I was 12 or 13 years old. The year was 1942, I think. It was late at night. The sky was black. There werent any street lights. We werent allowed to have any. Even the cars had to have muted lights. We were told that the planes could see the light from a single matchstick. If they could see lights, they would know that there were people below. They may then drop a bomb or whatever.

My family heard the air raid sirens and dashed down to the shelter at the local school, Cromwell Road School. We took all our bedding with us. We forgot an eiderdown (an old fashioned duvet) or something. I was the eldest so was asked to run back home and get it, whilst my mother cared for my younger two siblings.

I ran back home. I did not know whether there were any planes above me, but I knew they were in the vicinity. I do not remember being particularly scared. As a young child, it was more of an adventure.

I got the eiderdown and ran back towards the shelter. On my way an air raid warden called out to me. These wardens walked the streets during the black out to make sure people were safe and that their lights were not showing. He yelled at me to get under cover or to get indoors. I could not see him. He was just a voice from the darkness. So I yelled back, "Im going!!" and kept running.

I arrived safe and sound. I am still here, arent I??

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