大象传媒

[I worked at "Rotunda Building" in Horseferry Road, 100 feet underground at the 2nd Army Headquarters as a telephonist and met Churchill]..............

This story is about underground travel during the war in London. The windows were taped up to limit injuries from blasts so we had difficulty in seeing the station names. Consequently the government issued a warning in the form of a cartoon character called BILLY BROWN OF LONDON TOWN, dressed as a city gent, pin stripes, bowler hat and umbrella. As passengers were peeling off the tape to see where they were, one day Billy Brown appeared, pointing to the tape being peeled off and the words from his mouth were "I trust you will pardon my correction, that stuff is there for your protection" and underneath a wit had written "Thank you for your information but I can't see the b----- station".

The sombre mood changed in the carriage and the laughter from the rest of us was such a lift of spirits and, as most of us had spent the previous nights in the anderson shelter, it was such a joy to see everyone laughing in the midst of such general fear.

On the same topic, notices also appreared for bus travel. One BILLY BROWN notice read "kindly pass along the bus and so make room for all of us". This was because we tended to stay near the entrance, the quicker to get off. Underneath this one was the witty retort "That's alright without a doubt, but how the H-ll do we get out".

How did we keep that sense of humour? I often wonder as it certainly wasn't funny travelling on the tube at that time. But I still smile when I remember and I am 87 now.

Glad you are preserving them all!!!
There are so many to be told.

This story has been entered by Terry Greenwood on behalf of Doris Poynter who has given her written permission so to do.

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