大象传媒

My Father lived with his mother in South East London (New Cross). He had closed up his home and moved his mother to the west country (Devon,Somerset? not sure). He moved in with his brother and family also in South East London (Catford). He worked for Stones Engineering manufacturing ship's propellers. One night after work whilst he was walking home there was a sudden air raid. Unable to reach a shelter in time he dived into the hedge of a garden, bombs falling all around. Unfortunately, the house situated in the garden where he was sheltering was hit and the building collapsed burying him alive. He was rescued but sustained life threatening injuries. His mother returned from the west country to visit him and take care of him and re-opened their home. One night there was another air raid (November 1940), their home was hit and my grandmother fatally injured. My father recovered from his injuries but always blamed himself for his mother's death. My grandmother was 61 years old at the time and my father was 23, the youngest of eight children. He was a very promising athlete (sprinter, 100 yards, 220 yards) but the Second World War put pay to his athletic ambitions. Incidently whilst he was recovering in hospital the remains of his home was ransacked and all his remaining trophies and possessions stolen.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.