大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Mairi Campbell of the 大象传媒 on behalf of Annie W Ferguson and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

The date was Sunday 3rd September 1939. I was walking with my father Alex Stewart, to attend morning service at the High Church in Dumbarton.

For days the newspaper headlines had been alarming and depressing, banner headlines e.g. 鈥淲ar Clouds Gather over Europe鈥� were enough to make our hearts sink. The service began with the opening hymn. As it was ending we were aware of a man walking down the aisle, with slow and measured tread. This man was Mr Harvey Scott, a well known figure in the town. He mounted the pulpit steps and spoke briefly to the minister. Then slowly he retraced his steps and left the church.

The minister then addressed the congregation and announced that we were at war with Germany. The ultimatum had run out at 11am and all hope had died.

After a short payer the service was abandoned and we were advised to return to our homes.

There was little conversation on the mile long walk home. No doubt my father was thinking 鈥榥o, not another war!鈥�

For me it was a strange feeling I was 18 and realised that this war would involve my generation. There was fear of course and not knowing what to expect. Would there be some war-like manifestation before we even reached home? However, in spite of the dark foreboding we arrived unscathed.

There was a rude awakening half an hour later at 1pm when the air raid warning sounded. A single spotter plane had been detected, however, after circling the town a few times it left without further incident.

Day 1 of the Second World War had been survived!

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