大象传媒

I was 5 years old on the 8th May 1945, the day the war in Europe ended. We lived in Peckham, South London, and I remember people dancing around me when I was put at the centre of the ring. I didn't really understand what it was all about, and just wanted my Mum, Lily Addison. I remember someone bought me an ice cream, which was a real treat, but I remember thinking what's going on?

My uncle Eric was in the Royal Navy, in minesweepers, and I remember him bringing my brother David and myself some bananas (not on VE day itself, but some time later), and we didn't have a clue how to eat them, and didn't know you had to peel off the skin as we had never seen a banana before. I believe he had come home from the United States, and I thought he had brought the bananas from there, but of course he got them 'under the counter' from a local greengrocer!

My Dad, Horace Addison, was in the Home Guard as his health wasn't good enough for the Forces, and he was part of the unit guarding the gas works in the Old Kent Road where he also worked. The gas works was a prime target, so he did a dangerous and important job. He had a rifle, and I firmly believed he shot down German planes with it!

Although my Mum, David and myself were evacuated for a short while, we spent most of the war in Peckham. I often think how hard it must have been for my parents with 2 small children when the bombs and V2 rockets were coming down.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.