大象传媒

Iwas born at Hammersmith hospital London on 3 9 38.
My two elder sisters, Brenda and Janette
were evacuated to South Wales in 1940.
My mother, younger Sister Claire and I were evacuated to Berkhampstead in 1941 where we were joined by my two elder sisters.We were housed in a large house called Grafton Gardens located on the outskirts of town,which we shared with two other families.
My father had served in the RAF in the late twenties,early thirties and was called up before the outbreak of war.He wasat Dunkirk and was evacuated on a ship called the Lancastrian.The ship was bombed and sank and my father found himself in the sea with burning fuel all around him.Being a very good swimmer he managed to swim to another ship,he did get burnt but not seriously.With the confusion caused by the mass evacuation my father came home and did not report that he was safe.Three weeks later my mother recieved a telegram to say that he was missing in action. My father then reported for duty.We did not see him again until 1945.He served in North Africa,Kenya and Italy. He was affected by his ordeal at Dunkirk and had night mares for years after,waking the house with his shouting.
My uncle John, mums elder sisters husband was a Navigator on Wellington bombers he did two tours then he became an instructor.
His wife was badly affected and nearly had a nervous breakdown when he was flying on ops, complaining her hair was fallingout and many other complaints. This all stopped when he finished ops.
My mums brother Frank was called up andserved in the Royal Signals and fought in Europe When he came home he brought a German greatcoat with bullet holes in the back and a German machine gun which made a great toy.
My uncle Billy worked for the Gas Board and was exempt military service.
My uncle Reg was unfit for military service.
My uncle Jimmy served in the RAF.
My nan remained in London but would visit us for a week and stay for six. In the latter part of the war we would visit nan who lived in Kenley Street Nottinghill. Ihave vivid memories of bombed out buildings and flats with all the window blowmout and curtains flapping in the wind.
When the sirens went we would go to the tube for shelter or if we were visiting my uncle Billy who lived at Willsden we would go to the Anderson shelter at the bottom of the garden.
The army took over our church hall dueing the build up to D day.The Americans moved into two large houses about a mile away from our house.What delights awaited us .Ihad never seen bananas and when a yank showed us a gallon tin of peaches,WOW.They would give us candy,chocolate.and got any gum chum was childen's saying.Alas all good things come to an end when they shippedout to the war.
Iremember V.E. day .One of the older lads came running in shouting the war was over .That evening we all went to the town center to join the celebrations.
My family must have been one of the lucky ones ,except for my fathers close shave we had no casulties in Hitlers war.

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