大象传媒

As we know WW2 was declared on the 3rd September 1939, I was born on the 5th September 1939 at "Duncan House" Clifton Down - amazingly by coincidence my future wife was also born there on the 3rd May 1939. Her parents lived at Long Ashton, her dad served in the "Observation Corp" in Long Ashton.My memories must have begun from 1943. I lived in a very poor part of Bristol - which now appears to have been forgotten -College Street which was situated under Deanery Bridge.(I have more information on this forgotten part of Bristol).
My father was a "Leading Fireman" with the AFS, his station was situated in Hotwell Road, as the years passed by it became occupied by a business called "Hall and Fitgerald". My father shared some experiences of his fire service days, such as a mortuary was situated in the crypt of Holy Trinity Church Hotwells, and he was involved in the matching up of limbs with their respective bodies.
I remember as a very small child my mother,grandother and grandfather descending rickety wooden stairs to the cellar beneath the house (which housed coal/coke) during the raids. Also running to an air raid shelter in St George's Road which I believe was the basement of "The Central Institute for Further Education". My clothing consisted of a "Siren Suit" together with a "Mickey Mouse" gas mask. The distinct chemical smell of exploaded incendiary bombs always seemed to fill the air and the sirens sounding the "all-clear" are even now vivid. I remember the "Barrage Balloons" on the city centre and in Queens Square.
The house next to us was hit by incendiary bombs and gutted, my father came rushing home to check on our safety - the Station had informed him of the incident. In view of the air raids my father arranged accommodation, for my mother and myself,at WSM for a period taking us by motorcycle and sidecar. On our return we ran out of petrol coming through Long Ashton(where my future wife lived) and my parents had to push the combination past Ashton Court/Ashton Park during an air raid.
The Fire Brigade staged an exhibition,to which my parents took me,this was held in the "Colston Hall" before it was eventually gutted in an air raid.All sorts of toys(mainly wooden)were on show that had been made by the brigade members, I believe they benefited the children of Bristol. My father possessed good woodworking skills, also making toys for myself, a desk and chair(painted dark green),a small tricycle with a wooden seat (painted dark green)and a blackboard and easel. It appears I became facinated with the face of Hitler, drawing his likeness with chalks many times on the blackboard much to the distress of my parents, who told me instantly to "rub it off" incase anyone called to the house. In those days every one was able to gain access to each others houses, through a tiny hole in the front door protruded a piece of shoelace(ours was made of leather)which you pulled and the catch was released.The usual call of greeting was "Yahoo?".
One day my father was on duty "dressing himself whilst the engine was on it's way to a "call" -(the vehicle design was an open "Back" no enclosed cab) , and before he could put his helmet on he fell off the engine receiving head injuries which brought an end to his service with the AFS. I remember vividly visiting him at the BRI.

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