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This story was submitted to the People's War site by volunteer from The Chepstow Society on behalf of Cedric Thomas and has been added to the site with his permission. Cedric Thomas fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Cedric Thomas lived in Pembroke House, Chepstow at outbreak of war

Home Life.
Finished school at Monmouth, in the July before war was declared.
Parents ran “Dorothy Cafe “, now a Pizza Bar. Can remember being very concerned about the situation.
Very keen cinema goer and used to keep up to date with the war on the newsreels.

Work experiences
Started as an apprentice draughtsman at the shipyard. First job was to assemble gas masks in a room at the top of the building. Built railway wagons, tank landing craft and parts for the mulberry harbours. Parts, including the diesel engines arrived by rail and the landing craft were launched into the river.

War events.
The firm had shelters on site, there was a rota system for “ spotting “ enemy planes - - a whistle would be sounded and a red flag waved. All employees used the shelter to begin with, but as the war progressed it was used less frequently as the war carried on and the amount of work mounted up. When he was on the roof one night he recognised a Heinkle on the way to Newport.
Aware of the fights between the Americans. Remembers the troops throwing cigarettes over the wlls of the race course.
Saw P.O.W’s marching and singing as they passed through town, always with a couple of British sentries.

War defences.
Joined the Home Guard for 12 / 18 months, then transferred to the A.R.P. where he had a motorbike. Often on duty at the Police Station and slept in the cells overnight.

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