´óÏó´«Ã½

By: Mrs Mary Tate

I was about 8 years old and lived on a farm just outside Driffield, East Yorkshire, but it was holiday time and I had been staying with my mum’s parents (Mr & Mrs Fred & Mary Berriman) in nearby Rudston. I loved staying there but always felt uneasy when it came to bedtime as there was a soldiers’ camp right opposite the bedroom where I slept. However, my stay at Rudston was over and I was going to stay with my father’s parents (Mr & Mrs John & Eliza Newlove) in the nearby village of Thwing. I travelled courtesy of the local baker’s van, Mr Honour. I felt much more at ease in Thwing, away from the army camp.

On the first day I arrived we went to bed as usual but during the night there were planes flying overhead and we heard a strange noise. Grandma went downstairs to investigate and Granddad quickly followed, leaving me alone upstairs, so naturally I followed too, which was just as well. I had no sooner got downstairs when there was another noise and a huge blaze appeared at the top of the stairs — it had been an incendiary bomb.

I panicked and ran to get out of the front door, but all I could see was fire. I remember screaming and granddad shouting at me, which was unusual as he was a lovely placid man; obviously, he was frightened too. A neighbour appeared and took me to his house where I stayed with his wife and little girl. We stayed in the pantry and ate dried cornflakes. The following day was Thursday, and fortunately, the only day their was a bus to Driffield. Grandma was so relieved for me to go home, she popped me on the bus and, escorted by other villagers, I was dropped off at home.
My mum would not have been expecting me as there was no means to communicate in those days. I remember being very upset and having difficulty telling mum what had happened. I remember her giving me some chocolate and we went to find dad, who was in the stackyard. I could hardly speak I was so overcome. I never went to bed after than until mum and dad went, I was too frightened, and I remember that every time I heard an aeroplane overhead I covered my ears with my hands and got under the covers.

Another memory I have is sitting in my Grandparents’ house in Thwing and watching the soldiers marching past.

________________________________________
Transcribed by: Alan Brigham www.hullwebs.co.uk

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