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While I was on leave in 1941, my dad, George Wilson, took me to the Oberon public house in Queen’s Street, Hull, after a visit to the cinema. While in the pub, the sirens sounded. Dad said, ‘Where can we go for shelter?’

Two soldiers heard him and said to come with them. They took us to a look-out post just off the pier. From there, we could see the Germans flying over the river Humber. We saw them turn inland before they got near to us. We could see the bombs dropping on the city. It was amazing but very frightening, and I will never forget it.

The following year, 1942, my dad and I were walking down Derringham Street after another night at the cinema. The all clear siren sounded while a lone plane was passing.

‘That’s one of ours,’ said dad.
I said, ‘No, that’s a German plan, let’s get under cover.’

Seconds later we heard bombs exploding in the cemetery on Spring Bank.

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