大象传媒

I was born in July 1942 but have clear memories of the tanks lined up in our street (Avery Lane) waiting to embark on D-Day. The men knew that few would return and that their British money would anyway be useless once they left British shores. Because of this, they threw their coins to the children in the street. My mother told me that a girl of about 9 picked some up and gave them to me in my pram.

The reason for the tanks being in the streets of Gosport was that they were embarking at several beaches including Stokes Bay, which faced the Isle of Wight. To assist with this the beach was concreted over. Embarkation was rather easier than disembarking on the Normandy side.

My next recollection is the triple flags on the pubs and buses for VE Day. I don't remember the flags in other positions. I don't why. Soon after this we had the street parties and somewhere, I still have a photograph of the one in Avery Lane.

My other wartime memory was of dark green and dark blue hand and bath towels. My father worked in a reserved government occupation. Despite the economies, the towels were used in the ordnance depot until they were very dirty and then were supposed to be burnt. The workmen would 'steal' them by concealing them in the panniers on their bicycles. My mother would boil them for 3 days and then dye them dark blue and dark green to conceal the government stripe.

They were still in use after I had left home, although, by this time, they were well worn and quite thin.

This story was entered by Jenni Waugh, 大象传媒 People鈥檚 War Outreach Officer, at the Severn Valley Railway on behalf of Mr Mackenzie who is aware of and accepts the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

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