大象传媒

Just snippets of memory from a small child of 60 years ago. I was born in September 1940, and was brought up on the northern outskirts of Leeds. I remember myself and other small children racing up and down the road in excitement as columns of Army vehicles passed us. Were they on their way to D-Day? We lived near Yeadon aerodrome (now Leeds Bradford Airport) and were always aware of aircraft noise. I remember travelling to my grandparents in West Wales, travelling overnight by train, being hemmed in by servicemen and women and their kitbags. I remember an uncle who was a pilot in the RAF flying his aircraft over us and waggling his wings and all of us shouting and waving. How did we know it was him? I have no idea, but it apparently was. I remember Caen being mentioned frequently on the 'wireless', and burying my head under a cushion when the sirens went off!
I remember meat full of gristle and fat, ugh. but I loved corned beef and Spam. As for evaporated and condensed milk - heaven. Cod liver oil off a spoon - lovely. Concentrated orange juice from those little square shouldered bottles. Shops with empty shelves and watching the grocer packing up rations in little parcels. The only off-ration 'sweets' - 1/2d sticks of 'Spanish', 1d Oxo cubes and 2d packets of Nippits or Imps.
I remember my father (reserved occupation but in the ARP) showing me the street lights when the blackout was lifted.

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