大象传媒

1940 and the war environment had become common place. The nightly blackout: parents without children, who had been evacuated, ration books, noisy anti-aircraft guns, air raid sirens and uniforms civil and military everywhere.
In retrospect I bestow thought upon the battle of Britain, July-September, when as a 18 year old civilian, I lived in Tilbury Essex, a prime target for the German Luftwaffe. We endured air raids and at night flares were used to identify the Docks. My first sighting of these unwelcome visitors remains clearly with me even now 65 years later. Silent, bright yellow invaders dropping slowly on the town and dock areas. All this plus cacophony of sound from anti aircraft guns and the danger of shrapnel whistling down that could be fatal for people without steel helmets.
Another incident of that period was the occasion when I decided to visit the Palace Cinema Dock Road Tilbury, the nearest venue of entertainment to my home. With a few people I commenced to enjoy the film. Suddenly, the air raid siren sounded. We remained seated in the hope that perhaps this time Tilbury wouldn鈥檛 be the target. No such luck! CRASH! Equipment was flung through the screen and lay a tangled mess on the floor. An uneasy silence. We were safe but a little dumbfounded. The cinema lights came on: we still had electricity. Amongst the severe damage the manager appeared and announced that 鈥淥wing to enemy action the cinema would be compelled to close.鈥�
The cinema had received bomb-blast and once again Tilbury had received death and destruction.
In war death or good fortune is often your neighbour.

The guns are now silent. The skies are clear.
We have our freedom we hold so dear.
Remember鈥h remember! those that gave their all,
Ensuring this proud island didn鈥檛 fall.

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