大象传媒

I was two years old when the war began and my father was enlisted into the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) He was evacuated from Dunkirk, I believe. The war broke my parents' marriage tho' they never divorced. Mother tried to be a WREN but after six weeks she came home because of me. When I was five years old we went to Birmingham so that she could work in Munitions. Birmingham was a huge target for the bombs, because of the munition factories, and the siren was a way of life as were the gas-masks we carried everywhere. I recall the sirens sounding at night-time and being bundled out of bed and down into the Anderson shelter in the garden. Lots of people, neighbours presumably, and Auntie Flo' running back and forth to the house to bring tea for everyone! She seemed fearless. I, and probably all children, were laid on mattresses of some kind and my most vivid recollection is of Auntie Flo' and her tea while I sang "God is always near me..." in full every time!!
Sorry I don't have any pictures except in my mind's eye and that's becoming very hazy. I do recall that when we returned to Scotland and I went back to school I got ribbed for my 'English' accent. Pure Brummie I think. 'Bye.

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