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I was born on May 21st 1939, in a cottage down a lane off the A38 at Claymills, Burton on Trent, on the border of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. It has long gone with the building of the new A38 in the 1960’s. The houses called Norman Terrace, where we moved to after the war ended are still there, backing on to the canal.

I had a pleasant childhood, not really aware of the terrible things that were happening at home or away. However there are some things that I do remember quite clearly.

One thing is the excitement of joining the few other local children to stand at the side of the road shouting ‘Have you got any gum chum?’ when the American troops came past in their lorries and jeeps, and receiving cellophane packets with sugar, chocolate (horrible chocolate, but we ate it!) biscuits and chewing gun. Some of the older kids sold or swapped the chewing gum. There was always a scuffle because most of the packets landed on the ground, but no-one went home empty handed.

I remember the fuss and worry over Dad going on a long bike ride, with packed sandwiches, a bottle of tea and warm, waterproof clothes. Coventry had been bombed the night before and he was desperate to find out if his brother and family were safe. Halfway there he had a puncture, put the bike in a hedgerow and hitched and walked the rest of the way. He found his brother safe, and on his way home picked up his bike from where he had left it and walked home, arriving back the next day.

Playing in the lane with my friend Paul one day, my Mum came running and crying out from a neighbour’s house shouting ‘Harry! Harry!’ (my Dad’s name) followed by the neighbours shouting ‘Doris! Stop! It’s too far to run to Tutbury!’ The explosion at Fauld had happened and Dad worked there. I honestly cannot remember feeling or hearing anything of the explosion, we were too busy playing I expect. I can remember my Mother’s tension and unrest all of that day until my Dad’s return much later, safe, but shocked. There were only six houses in the lane and three of them had men working at Fauld. All were safe thank goodness.

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