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There were eight of us in our "gang", the "Cator Street Gang", everybody seemed to go around in gangs in those days. In fact if you happened to stray into another gang,s "territory", on your own, and got stopped, you would be in trouble. You would be "captured, and searched by this rival gang, you would be relieved of your "goodies", roughed up a bit, and sent on your way.
We, therefore, would wander around in force. Some gangs, older than us were quite violent, and there were tales of nasty beatings and fights, so we were careful where we went. These "gangs" were all named after their streets or roads, where they lived, so you had a good idea of their whereabouts.
We were 6 years of age when the war started, and 12 years of age when it finished, so this was obviously a very impressionable time in our in our young lives.
Before the war, very few families had a complete house to themselves, we always shared, there was nearly always a relative, friend or another family, either "upstairs or "downstairs". We had gas lighting, there was no electricity, or bathrooms, and the toilet was invariably, in the garden. Toilet paper was almost unheard of, torn up newspaper sufficed. We would have to go to the local bath-houses, for a bath. This would cost four pence and include a towel. You would be allocated a numbered cubicle, in which the attendant had already filled the bath. "More hot in number six", was the common request, if you needed more water. Or the attendant, if he wanted you out, would administer freezing cold water.
Mice were commonplace, and very often, so were rats, in our houses at this time.
The first house I can remember living in was, in the attic rooms of a large Victorian house in Bird in Bush Road, Peckham.
My Grandparents and my Uncles lived in Nutt Street, a road which was nearby. I used to love to visit my Nan. She was a colourful and vociferous character, she always spoke her mind. I can recall, on one occasion, her nosey next door neighbour, who was always prying , leant across the garden, and said to my Nan, "Whats the time, Rose?" My Nan replied, without hesitation, "Time you bought a f…….ing clock!!" My Uncles Bert and Bill, who were always here (awaiting military call-up), would tease me. They would give me money to swear. Sixpence was the going rate for "f…k". They all thought that this was hilarious.
One one occasion I arrived in my new, birthday present, shiny wellington boots, of which I was so proud. I was strutting around, and showing them off. Uncles,Bert and Bill, poured cold water in them and filled them up with coal, whilst I was wearing them. They were always teasing me. No wonder I was a little devil! I did, however, have a nice voice, and I was often treated, to sing a song (made a change from swearing). I can remember one song which used to make them cry (not because of my voice, but the lyrics)
It went like this…………………….

"He,s the little boy that Saunta Clause forgot
And goodness knows he didn,t have a lot
He wrote a note to Santa for some soldiers and a gun
It broke his little heart when Santa did not come
In the street he envied all the other boys
And then went home to last years broken toys
I feel sorry for that laddie
He doesn,t have a daddy
He,s the liitle boy that Santa Clause forgot"

This sad song could have applied to many boys I knew, who were less fortunate than me. All though this was not the thirties, there was still a lot of real poverty about. Many children had holes in their clothes and shoes. Unwanted items of clothing were donated to the school, and were snapped up by these kids. In fact the menial food ration, that we now had, ensured that many children, ate better, than they had hitherto. At least, they now had a balanced diet.
Whilst living here, in Bird in Bush road, I attended Peckham Park Infants School. I can remember, here, having an afternoon sleep in this school. I must have been only 4 or 5 years old. I can remember being given a "Jubilee" cup at this school. This is one of the very first things I can recall, in my childhood.
Later on, we were allocated , an end of terrace house in Goldsmith Road, sharing, with my Gran and Grandad who, lived upstairs.
I can remember the broadcast from Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, on that fateful morning, announcing the outbreak of the war. The adults were glued to the wireless sets. I do not recall the content of the speech, or the implication of it. But shortly after this speech, we were treated to a trial of the Air-raid sirens, to accustom us to its sound. This unusual wailing sound was to become an everyday occurrence throughout the war, and a terrifying sound to many people. These sirens were mounted on the tops of police, fire, ambulance stations, and town halls.
As children, to us, the war to us was great fun, and a constant source of excitement. To the adult population involved in it, and to those serving in the forces, it must have been a nightmare, but as I say, to us, it was "great fun"!.
Shortly after the war started, both my young sister Jean, ( three months old at the time ), and I contracted chicken-pox. We were admitted into Hither Green Hospital for treatment. Unusual now, but during the war, a common-place practice, to stop the virus spreading. Hygiene was not good because of the war shortages, lack of hot water, and non flush toilets etc.
I would lay in hospital. Listen to air-raids, and await my visiting parents, who would bring me in whatever goodies they could muster.
In the next bed to mine was another boy, we would play with the "blackout curtain" across the window between our beds. This curtain was drawn across by pull cords. He would pull the cord one way, and I would pull it another. Eventually the cord broke. The ward sister ( a ginger-haired lady) was furious. She smacked us both very hard, around the head ( the old cow )!! Some bloody nurse, I was glad to get out of there. I was no angel, but I don,t think I deserved that.
Early, in 1940, I then went to Reddins Road School, nearby . On one occasion, we were celebrating "Empire Day", a big event in those days. We were all assembled in the playground when an air-raid warning sent us indoors, into the shelter. Our teacher wound up the gramophone and played Judy Garland singing "Somewhere over the Rainbow". This was the current big hit. It also helped to take our minds of the bangs and crashes from the air-raid. This sticks in my mind, because the gramophone in question was hand wound. It was a new one with a "double spring". This enabled it to play 2 sides of a record, without pausing, a mean achievement then.
One of the sad things for us children, at this time,was the gradual disappearance of ice-cream, and eventual rationing of "sweets",( which lasted for a further ten years). We were allowed four ounces of sweets a month. (More at Christmas).
One of the most popular sources of our ice cream treats, came from the "Walls Ice Cream Man", He was smartly dressed in a navy blue uniform and white hat. He pedalled a tricycle, around. It had solid rubber tyres, and a box like structure on the front. This had very thick hinged lids. Inside this insulated box, was the ice-cream. On the box in white letters was the price list and what was on offer. Also inscribed thereon was the infamous "Walls" slogan {STOP ME, AND BUY ONE }. Now probably replaced by the equally, infamous Durex slogan { BUY ME, AND STOP ONE }. How times have changed!
One of our favourites was "Walls Sno-Frutes". These were the fore-runners of ice-lollies. They did not have sticks in them, however. They were tri-angular in shape and about six inches long, covered in thin cardboard, which was coloured in white and black squares. They were a penny each, or cut in half, one half-penny. My favourite was strawberry flavour. Pink and creamy in texture, they were delicious.
However this "institution" was soon stopped, as things became scarce.
Another event which was stopped, was the lamplighter. We had gas street lighting then. This was turned on at night, and off in the morning by this man who was armed with a long pole for this purpose. Gas street lighting was considered wasteful, and dangerous, and was discontinued for the "duration". This new term "duration" was used extensively, at that time, It meant of course, "whilst the war lasted".
Other things that stopped at this time, was Radio Luxemburg, Hilversum and other popular radio stations, and, of course, the weather forecasts, (which was considered valuable information), not to be disclosed to the enemy. Also road and distance signs, disappeared, adding to the general confusion.
We did, however continue to receive propaganda broadcasts, from Lord Haw-Haw, from Germany. He was a traitor named Joyce who absconded to Germany just before the war. His job was to try to undermine our morale by spreading bad and often false news.
We, consoled ourselves, by getting involved, in what the war had to offer us, as children.
We collected shrapnel, shell caps with altitude markings, pieces of tail fins from bombs , pieces of all shapes and sizes. At one stage we had a complete incendiary bomb secreted away. It had sheet steel tail fins, a magnesium alloy inflammable body and was about 18 inches in length, we had to reluctantly surrender it to the ARP, (Air Raid Wardens) But kept our shell nose caps and other goodies. We exchanged experiences of aircraft sightings, and swapped news items that we had heard on the "wireless" or had seen in the cinema newsreels.
Some of our experiences, when we look back at them, seem unbelievable, and one wonders, did that really happen? But when we talk these experiences over, we realise that they really did happen.
Often on our way to school, which was about a mile away, in Peckham, the air raid sirens would sound, people ran from their houses, imploring us to take cover and refrain from gazing fascinatedly at the sky. You could see shell bursts and German bombers flying in formation, (as if in an air display).
We were usherred into these houses, and be led into the "shelter", either an "Anderson" device, made of corrugated sheet steel and half buried in the garden, under sand bags, or in a "Morrison" shelter, which was a steel constructed 3/8" thick "table" immensely strong, with 2" angle iron legs, and usually sighted in a kitchen or dining room. It, of, course served two purposes. The first as a rather hard and cold table, and secondly as an efficient shelter. These were always painted green. They were very effective. Whole houses had been known to collapse on top of these devices, and people escaped unscathed.
Anyway, we were given, by these kind people, either soup and bread, or porridge and toast, depending on the time of day. But what stood out in our young minds, was the kindness and care that these strangers showed to us, maybe the common danger we shared had something to do with it.
When the air raid warning sounded, during school time, we were led into a special school-room, reinforced by double brick walls and specially blocked up windows, rather gloomy but seemingly effective.
I visited this, my old school, recently, 50 years later, and you can still see the signs on the walls where these reinforcements had been installed. Also inside the window frames, marks of iron re-inforcements. I spoke to the teachers on this visit and they were fascinated by the tales I told them of nearby bombings etc. They dearly wanted some photos of these times but of course photography was almost non-existent then. I did, however promise that I would send them a written description of these events.
On a bombed site next to this school, in Sumner Road, Peckham, was installed, for a short time, a Spitfire. This was a fully operational aircraft. If you bought a five shilling National Saving stamp, you were allowed, under the supervision of an R.A.F member to sit in the cockpit and have all the controls explained to you. What a treat. It was all part of a scheme to raise funds for the war effort. In Trafalgar Square, I was told, was a Lancaster bomber, serving the same purpose.
It was at this school, that I kissed a girl for the first time. Her name was Doris Haines. I can remember that she had a runny nose, which I took great care to avoid. I didn,t really want to do this, but all the boys were intent on this deed. It was considered, part of growing-up. She was now, my "girl", but I don,t think that I kissed her again. I was in love with Pat Griffiths, but she was spoken for, by a drip called Fletcher, who also possessed a snotty nose. These "noses" seemed quite popular in those days.
This was, I thought, a wonderful school. I loved it. The teachers were excellent in the main, and arranged all sorts of interesting projects for us to get involved in. I feel that they took extra care, for us, because of the wartime situation. We had school plays, concerts, and various other events. A portion of the play-ground was excavated, and we used this as an allotment to grow small quantities of vegetables. Never a feast, but an achievement we thought.
I did quite well at this school. I was top in the class, with a girl named Sheila Wilkes. I was sent home early one day because I had done particularly well! ( Some dispute this, but it is going in this book because it is factual )
Our new house, 42 Goldsmith Road, was conveniently situated right next door to a local pub, the Marlborough, My parents, and grandparents used to spend many evenings in this pub.
My Gran in particular always seemed to be drunk. What a wonderful character she was.
Turning out time, meant invariably that our house became occupied by many of the pub customers. We had an old piano, one of my uncles friends played drums, and another person played a one string fiddle. This sounded like a strangled cat. But the music sounded jolly and these wartime parties were a great morale booster to these adults. Beer crates lined the passage. We children sat at the top of the stairs. Listening and watching until the small hours. Most adults in those days seemed to be able to "knock" a tune out on a musical instrument. We had a wind-up gramophone then. The sound came out of a horn like contraption in side the cabinet. The pick-up arm was quite heavy, if you dropped it on your finger it would penetrate and leave quite a gash. The needles would wear after playing a few "sides". These of course, like most things were very scarce. My Dad bought a gadget that would sharpen these needles. The needle was rotated against a small stone, which gave a new "edge". Sometimes it worked, but sometimes it would not. You could tell, if it was not successful, by seeing a trail of carbon streaming off the record as it rotated. When this happened, Gracie Fields sounded even shriller! My Dad had also acquired a small cine-projector. It was illuminated by a candle behind a lens. It was rotated by hand, and the flickering movies were enthralling. The whole device, I am sure, was lethal. But we had a lot of old Buster Keaton type films to show on it, and it was great fun.
There was a great scarcity of "comics". You were put on a waiting list for them. When somebody cancelled, you were able to take up their vacancy. "Beanos and Dandys" etc were in short supply, and we used to swap comics with each other, to make them go further.
We would often go to to the New Cross Empire or the Camberwell Palace variety halls, where for sixpence, you could go up into the gallery. We would watch the wonderful music-hall stars of the time, later some became big stars. There was Gert and Daisy (Elsie and Doris Waters), Ethel Revnel and Gracie West, Frank Randall, Max Miller and many other famous characters.,These shows were enthralling, if it they weren,t we would amuse ourselves by dropping apple cores or other debris, over the rail onto the audience below.
We would watch the pubs "turn-out", there would nearly always be big fights, and we would gaze at the comical antics of these drunks, trying to hit each other. The ladies were worse, and their language was dreadful. People seemed to drink a lot in those days. My Nan was one of them, she was always fighting with Mrs.Wilson, her neighbour. This was an ongoing feud for years.
I can remember some of the old wonderful wireless programmes we had in those days, ITMA, Bandbox, Monday Night at Eight, Vic Oliver, Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels, in Hi Gang and Happidrome. They were great shows. These were mainly evening programmes. During the day we would have, episodes of the "Radio Doctor" giving tips on how to keep healthy. Food programmes devoted to simple recipes, and how to make your food ration "go farther". "Workers Playtime" ( broadcast from a factory "some where in England" musn,t say where ). These would star famous bands of the day. Also stars like Tommy Trinder, Tommy Handley, Vic Oliver, Gracie Fields and the like. Not to forget "Wakey-Wakey" the Billy Cotton Band Show. Large sing-alongs, would occur, at the end of these shows. A wonderful euphoria, of togetherness, in difficult times. I am sure that this war, brought out, the best in people. A sad way to bring this about, of course.

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