大象传媒

I remember the day was fine and clear, afterall it was June and one expects all the days
to be fine and clear.

I remember a lot prior to that day in June.My father's face with his wide grin and twinkling eyes
as he turned the corner in his khaki uniform, home on leave, or if he arrived home late, the
tap, tap, tap of the clothes prop on the upstairs window to awaken my mother, younger
brother and myself for a joyous reunion.

I recall the air raids, hurrying from our small home to the air raid shelter where I was
placed on a makeshift bed, the smell of which I can still remember.

I remember my father bringing home a curious yellow object, watching in amazement as he
undid it and telling me it was a banana. I have never smelt anything quite like it, as no
banana since has had that same wonderful smell. The queues, the ration books, the dried
eggs and a very occasional piece of chocolate.

I vividly remember that fine clear day as I ran from school to my grandma's for lunch. I was
just six years old and eager to see grandma, when I was stopped by a boy from the next street.
I shall never forget his words, "Your dad's been killed and mine hasn't." I ran the rest of
the way in tears, to be met by my grandma who told me gently what I already knew, that fine
clear day in June 1944.

My father,Gunner MICHAEL MULLEN, 'A' troop, 372 Bty., 114th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal
Artillery, was killed on 7th June 1944, on JUNO Beach, MIKE sector-Green beach during an aerial attack, together with two of his colleagues, who
I believe to be, Gunner COLIN CAPPER
from Staffordshire and Gunner ROBERT GRICE from Liverpool. All three are buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

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