大象传媒

I was at school in 1942 during the fire bomb raids on the city. Our fire fighting team was led by Rev AGG Thurlow, the Precentor at the Cathedral. It became necessary to go out on to the roof of the north trancept of the Cathedral where some incendiary bombs were burning furiously. It was my job to aim the stirrup pump to where it would be most effective.
The next day Rev. Thurlow called his team together to see what they had been doing the night before. We went up to the roof and it was suggested that I would like to go out where I had been. In broad daylight I could not do it. I daren't even take the first steps. It is surprising what humans can do in the heat of the moment.

My sencond memory is from my time in the city messenger service, which was manned by members of the sixth forms from Norwich School and the City of Norwich School, who were not studying for exams. Our duty room was above the entrance of the Guildhall.
One day I was sent to collect some bomb damage information after a raid the night before. On my way down to Grapes Hill, which was a single carriageway in those days. the brakes of my bicycle failed. Unable to stop, I scattered a group of soldiers who shouted and swore in an alarming manner. Eventually I managed to stop and I returned to apologise and explain what happened. The sergeant called me all sorts of names and told me I had ridden over an unexploded bomb. What a wonderful tale to tell when I got back to school.

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Andrew Milner of Suffolk Libraries on behalf of Mr Michael Belcher and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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