大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Tim Stanton from Crawley Library and has been added to the website on behalf of Mr Eric Elkins with his permission and he fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

I remember my youth spent near Honington Aerodrome in 1939-1943. I lived at a childrens home called Euston Hall, owned by the Duke of Grafton and run by Dr Barnados.

This airbase was original used by the RAF and they flew Wellington Bombers from it. From the beginning of 1941 it was used by the United States Army Air Force 鈥淔irst Strategic Air Depot鈥� as a repair base for damaged Fortress Bombers. Sometimes they would come and land straight from battle. There were many bomb dumps in the area. On many occasions the Germans tried to bomb the airbase and the dumps.

On several occasions, us children were caught up in attacks by German fighters and bombers.

My brother and I took part in organised visits to the base. A Sergeant William Oxford from Beaumont, Texas organised the visits. We were allowed to look round the base, allowed to climb around the aeroplanes and taken to the canteen and given lunch, tea and sweets.

I left Euston Hall in 1943 to return home London. I lived in Putney. There were still many air raids including one bombing raid, which hit a dance hall killing many people.

I was called up to join the army in 1945, but he was discharged 2 months later on medical grounds.

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