大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by DebRoach of the CSV Action Desk with 大象传媒 Hereford and Worcester on behalf of David Paget and has been added to the site with his / her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.'

I lived in St. Johns Wood as a small child aged three when the war commenced. Due to major disruption immediately we spent many hours in air raid shelters including the basement of Selfridges store.
On the formation of the ARP, my grandfather was placed in charge of the Central London area, my father was also a member so it lead to me spending many hours with them based in several schools in St. Marylebone.
On one occasion, I was walking along Lisson Grove where the goods yard of Marylebone station covered quite a length of the road. I was with my grandfather, it was about 6.30 in the morning when he pushed me to the ground and shielded me, the next thing there was a massive explosion which hit the goods yard, within minutes it looked to me like a grand bonfire night as the sky lit up as if from a giant roman candle, it was fantastic, of course I did not realise the seriousness of it until I was taken by my grandfather to have a look at Wharncliffe Gardens, a block of flats where we lived. I can remember seeing all the windows blown out. We then went to the children's orphanage that was situated on the opposite corner to Lords Cricket ground where I had a lot of small friends. On arriving there I saw them having been blown out of their beds, I quickly started to cuddle them telling them that everything would be alright. I was then led away as I did not realise that they were all dead.
The next day I was following my grandfather along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal when I saw what looked like a cigar in the water, I bent down and picked it up and showed my grandfather my cigar, he quickly took it from me. I found out later that it was a mans finger with his ring still on it.
I can cover many other interesting times going around air raid shelters, underground stations and other large stores whose basements had been turned into shelters. Walking along the street with either my Father or Grandfather occasionally shouting "Put that light out" if even a glimmer of light could be seen.

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