大象传媒

Holidaying with my aunts, uncles and cousins on Margate beach the day 'war broke out' was unforgetable. It was a lovely sunny day, everybody was thoroughly enjoying the sun, ice creams, swimming, playing beachball, cricket, exploring the rock pools for fish and crabs.
Suddenly, the air raid sirens sounded their very mournfull, droning wail. The air became electric, there was a palpable silence. For a second or two, no one moved.
Then, as if by magic, beach balls, deckchairs, kids pcnic baskets and bodies moved up the beach as if swept by a giant invisible broom. The atmosphere that pervaded the beach is best described as controlled panic! Everybody moved onto the promenade and seemed to disapear into their respective holiday accomodations. By the time my family reached the road the beach had cleared and we made our way to our holiday accomodation.
It is the first memory I recall of my war experiences.
More memories are of the unique smells and invironment of air raid shelters, the fear of the sounds of aircraft, the noise and viabration of bombs, watching the dog fights during the Battle for Britain, hearing spent cases hitting the roof, doodle bugs and 'V' ones. Memories a small boy will never forget.

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