大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War Site by Margaret Walsh of The Royal Star and Garter Home on behalf of Jack McClellan and has been added to the site with is permission. Th author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

The first air raids were in Scotland. They were concentrated on the shipyards. We used to visit our grandparents in Scotland - one set in Glasgow the other in Greenock. When we went to Greenock we used to see the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth. They were painted all over grey - being used as troop ships.
We were going to Glasgow after the first raid. We had to cross over the River Clyde by ferry [Renfrew ferry] and there was a small road that came to the main road where there was a tenement building. But on that day it was no longer in existence. They also demolished a Singer Sewing Machine factory.
After every raid we would go out as friends picking up shrapnel and bits and pieces. Sometimes bits were painted dark green which we liked to think were parts of German aircraft.
We went to Greenock. You would walk up over the hill to a place called Largs. Our family were great walkers and we always seemed to be climbing up this hill. One day, just as we were walking up - just at the top - all of a sudden there was a great roar. This great big black aeroplane appeared with crosses and swastikas. I could see the bomb aimer quite clearly and he waved at us! Cheeky devil!
Towards the later part of the war they were using German prisoners to clear up the bomb damaged buildings. We, as school children, used to talk to them. Their English was far better then our German, which was non-existent. We used to buy them broken biscuits - 1/2p. a bag. They were huge big bags about a foot high and we'd also buy them bottles of lemonade. One of them said to me, "Give me a penny." I said, "Cheeky devil! I've given him broken biscuits and lemonade." He told me to come back after school - at which time he had bent it in half and shaped it into a Spitfire - not even a ME109 Messerschnitt!

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