- Contributed by听
- Michael Jeffs
- People in story:听
- Michael J.Jeffs
- Location of story:听
- Neasden, London
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A2884656
- Contributed on:听
- 02 August 2004
WWII (1)
During the London blitz in 1940 I was just 4 years old and lived in Braemar Avenue, Neasden.
During one of the air-raids targeting the Welsh Harp Reservoir, directly behind our house, a bomb landed in the middle of the road about 30 yards from where I was sleeping but luckily did not explode, just shattered a few windows.
The next day we were evacuated while the bomb was defused and then allowed back in time to see it loaded on a lorry and removed and the 15 foot wide crater filled in.
During a recent visit to London my wife, also from Neasden, and I took a pilgrimage to see our old homes and haunts. Assuming that Breamar Avenue has been resurfaced more than once in 64 years, I was utterly amazed to to find the circular outline of that crater still clearly defined.
WWII (2)
My Auntie Marie, 5ft 4ins, and my Cousin Ivy, 4ft 11ins, were fire watchers together in Breamar Avenue. They were issued with any size fits overalls and tin hats. Auntie Marie's overalls were very tight everywhere, while the crotch of Cousin Ivy's hung below her knees.
On their first night out it was very wet and windy. There was an air-raid and they heard the whistle of a bomb so they clung to each other in fear, Cousin Ivy's face buried deep in Auntie Marie's ample bosom . But the bomb never landed and after a couple of miniutes, as Cousin Ivy came up for air, they realised the bomb noise was in fact the wind whislting through their tin helmets.
WWII (3)
It was, I think, the very last buzz-bomb of the war that landed on Wykeham School, Neasden which both my wife, Maureen, and I went to, and it was completely demolished. Luckily it was during the night with just firewatchers present and they escaped unhurt.
For us kids it was great news because it meant we had to share with Braincroft, the other Neasden school, and for 18 months we were on half-day schooling - mornings one week, afternoons the next. Wonderful!
Mick Jeffs
Plympton, Plymouth, Devon
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