大象传媒

On the 3rd September 1939, I was 14 years old and living in south Liverpool. My school was evacuated to Wales but I didn't go with them as I was asthmatic. Consequently, within a fortnight, I was directed to work in the drawing office of an aircraft factory, working twelve hour shifts. After four months, in ill health, I was sent to work in the offices of a shipping clerk in Liverpool. Work continued, despite the heavy bombing, and I have memories of walking to work through the debris - the tram would stop wherever debris forced it to and we would walk the rest of the way to work. After the heavy Blitz of 1940, I and my family moved to north Shropshire. I joined family friends who were farmers in Llangedwyn and spent a happy 18 months learning the farming trade. I then moved to a farm in Herefordshire to drive newly-arrived tractors and then moved back into Shropshire to work for a contractor, ploughing and harvesting around the area (not bad for a city boy!). In 1942, aged 17, I volunteered for aircrew. A medical requirement was to be able to hold one's breath for up to one minute and as I had asthma, I had to practice this on a daily basis. I set off to Birmingham for a three-day attestation and selection process. We were told to bring a suitcase for the return of civilian clothes if we were successful. On the second day of the selection process, I had a medical and was congratulated for my phenomenal lung capabilities! That same day, I was bitterly disappointed to hear that I had been rejected - not because of asthma, but because of a perforated eardrum of which I'd been unaware. I was offered an RAF ground trade but was unable to accept, being in a reserved occupation. Life then depended on chance and circumstance and there was very little personal choice involved. I served in the Home Guard until late 1944, when the rules began to relax and anyone in a reserved occupation could apply for release to join the armed services. In early 1945, i joined the army and after recruit training, I joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery. On VE Day, I was the NCO I/C marching reliefs so was unable to join in the celebrations. I then stayed in the army for the next 34 years.

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