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This contribution to People’s War was received by the Action Desk at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Cleveland and submitted to the website, with the permission and on behalf of Brian Weston

At primary school, if air raids start at 10am rather than 9am. If air raid could go to shop and buy a penny apple as shop opened at 9am. Lived in Thornaby.

German aircraft landed at Thornaby — nobody knew till after the war.

At end of George Street — next to railway used to hear bangs during night in shelter. Bombed put — killed a woman — told by Stepfather.

Friend (Bill) in Far East in Army — fighting Japanese, sent to guard Dutch airfield — everything was on fire — nothing to guard. Then stuck with nowhere to go (about 12 men). Saw British prisoners on march on road and joined them — threw away rifles. Nothing they could do. (1941/42)

Biggest thing was uncertainty. Had a good war in Mine — Honshu — controlled by a good man. Stan but not other ill treatment.

Thornaby Airfield — Border — Basilden Lane border — prison huts for Italian POW. Two of wife’s uncles went to Dunkirk — D-Day → Germany. When returned nowhere to live. POW huts were better quality than their houses. Squatted in huts, Government turned off water and electricity — then built prefabs.

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