大象传媒

This contribution to People鈥檚 War was received by the Action Desk at 大象传媒 Radio Norfolk and submitted to the website with the permission and on behalf of Mr Peter Cain
Much has been written about the contribution made by members of the civilian population throughout the course of the Second World War with reference made to a number of organisations including WRVS, ARP wardens, Home Guard, Fire-fighters, Ambulance Drivers, Volunteer Nurses etc: all who played important roles.
One particular group who rarely if ever get a mention are the very young who were at the time attending school. They were to find themselves engaged in a variety of activities which benefited the whole community. Many received training in one of the three Cadet Forces which helped prepare them for their eventual call up to one of the three armed services. I was one such schoolboy who in 1942 at the age of 13 found me eligible to serve in the Army Cadet Force.
Before long I had experienced Army style discipline for the first time in my life. I also underwent instructions in the use of weapons which included the Lee Enfield 303 rifle, the Bren Gun and the use of hand grenades.
At the age of 14 I left the Army Cadets to join the Sea cadets (my main choice) and there I was to remain until 1945 the year I joined the Royal Navy. The training I received as a Cadet went some way to preparing me for a life at sea and this coupled with the discipline I had earlier experienced as an Army cadet meant I had a good grounding for what was to come.

Whilst attending the local Grammar School at Penzance in Cornwall a number of us were released each year to assist farmers with the harvesting of the potato crop which was to prove back breaking work, however essential to the then war effort. During the long summer holidays I along with others gave up our time to assist in the gathering in of the harvest which meant hours of toil in field of corn. The work proved rewarding and we felt very grown up as we worked alongside experienced farmers.
At Xmas a number of us worked as relief Postmen and found ourselves carrying huge sacks of mail for delivery in our particular areas of responsibility. On occasions I found myself striving to hoist the delivery sack to my shoulder, the weight was almost unbearable. An important function carried out by teenage boys was that of ARP Messenger to local wardens. Dressed in long navy blue overcoats, a gas mask slung across our shoulders and a steel helmet we must have looked quite a sight as we peddled our way between Warden Posts.
Growing up as a schoolboy during World War2 proved to be an exciting period in my life, one which despite it鈥檚 horrors I shall never forget. I feel the total experience helped prepare me for many of the challenges which I was to face later in life. For that I shall always be grateful.

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