大象传媒

My initial memory is that of the evacuees from Liverpool. We didn't really mix with them, I guess they were different having been brought up in a town. We just used to aggravate each other. I remember doing air raid drills in school, although we did not have to do any for real. In school we used to get rationed condensed orange juice, and a chocolate coated cracker - two each, not forgetting the cod liver oil. Our home was Commons Farm situated between Kelsall and Willington, I remember hearing an air raid one evening. The next day we went to a nearby field and discovered dead cows - killed in the air raid. I remember them being stiff, with their legs sticking straight out.

One luxury I recall is the introduction of chocolate on the ration cards, it was sheer luxury. Whilst collecting my chocolate one day, I witnessed the shopkeeper passing liqourice allsorts to a customer, this was noticed by another customer, and when it was her turn to be served she requested allsorts aswell - to the shopkeepers surprise.

We could actually watch the air raids over Liverpool, with AA fire, boms exploding and barrage balloons. I have memories of hiding under the stairs whilst Wrexham industrial estate was being bombed.

I remember talking to the local policman one day - Mr Petinger - who told me that we were not being bombed as bombs were too exspensive! He also commented on me being tall enough to join the police.

Me and my friends used to go down to Oulton Park (there was a US base there) and watch the tanks being driven in convoy. When the jeeps and trucks wwere in convoy the GI's used to throw out chewing gum and chocolate. A GI who later married a friends sister said that englishman had no money!

The end of the war was marked by celebrations in Kelsall, the celebrations were held in a large contractors yard. I recall watching everyone dancing. I remember the whole period as being a potentially dangerous time, although I took an active interest in what was going on.

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