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The following was transcribed from a telephone interview 8/7/05.

On the night of the May blitz 1941 — I was at home living with parents.
We had an indoor Morrison shelter.
My sister just got from the hospital with scarlet fever.
I was assigned as a messenger — because a landmine had fallen in Sandy Lane in Waterloo. The whole area was evacuated.
On proceeding night, they dropped a fair amount. One was one of the first bombs ever dropped- Brentwood area, Crosby. Four people were killed.
A torpedo fell off a plane during the May Blitz and destroyed our garden.

As a result we had ‘heavy anti aircraft guns’ at Seaforth —they didn’t half make a bang!

Incidentally, in Crosby, Waterloo opened on September and immediately closed on 3rd September 1939.

1941 May Blitz.
My sister developed pneumonia. That particular night a bomb dropped and it made a hole 40 foot deep. All the way through to clay.
The following day we were assigned as messengers running around with messages for ARP unit and helped at the local school.

My brother was killed in Arnhem in 1944.
Two days later we received a telegram. He was 23.
He was the second Lieutenant of a parachute regiment.
I was only 13 or 14.

In 1946 joined the parachute regiment, then joined the SAS — went to the middle East. (via the Brecon Beacons in South Wales)

Following my brothers death I was young and impressionable. At only 17 ¾ went and joined the army.

V.E. Day
All the schools had a holiday. Went to the Corona cinema in Crosby.
Everyone got a present of a War mug each.

The end of the war brought a great deal of relief in my family.
My mothers’ brother was killed in World War 1. He was killed four days before the Armistice.

War — Do not have one. They gain NOTHING.
Speaking even as someone from the SAS!

My captain was killed in Oman. We got the Royal family safe.

Crosby —‘Sunset Strip’ — half way along there was a sandbag and trench. ONE vicars machine gun and ONE box of ammo!
Nothing ! That was our defences — East Lancashire regiment — Lancashire Fusiliers.
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