大象传媒

Memories of the Coventry Blitz, November 14th 1940

At the time I was 17 an engineering apprentice at Alfred Herberts the machine tool factory in the Foleshill area of the city. The factory was working 24 hours a day in two shifts 7.00am to 7.00pm and 7.00pm to 7.00am. I was on the day shift and was cycling home to Radford where I lived with my parents when the air raid siren sounded. When I arrived home my father said 鈥渃ome into the shelter you can have your meal when the raid is over.
The raid continued for eleven hours. We were not able to leave the shelter until daylight by which time I was very hungry. When we left the shelter the scene that met our eyes was devastating. Whilst the houses in the road had not had direct hits all the windows and doors and most of the roof tiles had blown off, caused by a land mine which had landed in the street behind.
My father, who had been a sergeant in the Royal Engineers during the Great War, realising that food was essential (especially to me) called on the neighbours to bring any tins of food they had, to him.
In the meantime he lit a fire in the fire place and got out mothers cast iron saucepan which was very heavy and large. He tipped all the tins of food into it together with any other items available and put it on the fire. The neighbours all brought dishes and spoons round to the house and when it was hot we shared it out.
To me, not having eaten for at least 18 hours is was delicious in fact everyone enjoyed the feast.
After this we all started patching up our houses as best we could.
I remember that the people of Birmingham rallied round to help by sending in van loads of bread, which was very welcome.

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