大象传媒

It was mid-winter 1943 and there were heavy snowfalls in Willington Quay, Wallsend on Tyne. Robert Myers (Bob)who was 8 years old and his brother Ken Myers who was 13 years old lived in Bewick Street. Down the back lane was two huge ballast hills, one to the left, and one to the right. The centre part running down to the front of the right hill was nick-named "The Valley". The two brothers and other friends (all locals) went to play in this area with homemade sledges. Some were wooden sledges with strips of metal for runners, and some were old car seats, brought home by their mothers from "The Ministry of Works" (the first recycling place).
It was coming in dark and they started heading for home when, without warning a German Bomber appeared from behind a huge 100ft high chimney, belonging to Cooksons Lead Works. This plane had been on bombing raids up the river Tyne, targeting the Ship Yards, railways etc and had no bombs left, but plenty of ammunition. So they decided to discharge this ammunition on these children silhouetted in the snow. These children knew little of the real dangers of war or of enemy aircraft. People were shouting "GET DOWN! GET DOWN!" They crouched beside a tin cabin until the plane left. Holes were later found in the sides of this cabin. They were told that the plane was shot down at the mouth of the Tyne.
No one was hurt that day, but they will all take the memory to their graves.

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