Memories 1

Memories 1

1936

November 30

“Dad, the sky’s all pink”

“Go to sleep”

“But Dad, it really is all pink”

“If I have to come up there, you’ll be all pink”

“But Dad………………..”

(Actually, the sky is not pink, but the horizon is aflame from end to end, as we have a grandstand view of the burning of the Crystal Palace.)

1939

September 3

“Oy, the War has started” shouts a passer-by. I paint on, at the top of a long ladder, putting the last coat of white lead paint on our house. Five minutes later, the air raid sirens sound. I beat all records to reach the ground and scamper to our A.R.P. trench and wait for Hitler’s saturation bombing. No bombs, no guns, no anything. Finally, the All Clear, so back up the ladder.

September 4 1939

To the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade on the Albert Embankment, to start My First Job.

1940

January

Start teaching myself to touch-type, using a Pitman text book. Enrol at the Westminster Commercial Institute to study Advanced Mathematics and Physics. Freezing temperatures and snow make life miserable for the whole month. Get friendly with Dorothy Hicks, neighbour’s blond daughter. Darts, cards, dancing and cycling — “Absolutely super”.

May 14

Hear that Local Defence Volunteer units are being formed to help the Army. Go with Dad to the police station to put our names down for it.

June 5

Cheers on the Embankment outside my office signal the return of the Fire Boat “Massey Shaw” from Dunkirk, where she had been helping to assist in the rescue of British troops. Mike rings from Oxford, to say that he is fit and well, but somehow lost his uniform offshore Dunkirk.
2

June 7

17 today. To London Fire Brigade dance at Covent Garden with Dad, Mum, Dorothy and her sister Margery. “Absolutely perfect”.

June 18

Hear bombs falling for the first time — somewhere down the Thames

June 25

Air raid sirens sound at 0100 hours. Into shelter in garden until 0400 hours, when the All Clear goes. Bombs fall South of London.

August 14

Enrol in the Local Defence Volunteers and serve as Dispatch Rider on my bike.

August 18

Lovely sunny Sunday morning, so cycle to Westerham with Tig, Dorothy and Margery. Near Biggin Hill, see German bombers and fighters hedge-hopping. Sirens blowing, bombs dropping, machine-guns crackling in the sky. When noise dies down, ring Mum to say we are all right, and meet her and Dad at Orpington for a picnic tea.

August 31

Air raids are a daily occurrence now. Five Alerts and All Clears today — popping in and out of the shelter like a rabbit. Vapour trails of dog fights criss-crossing the sky, with 5 aircraft spiralling down into the ground — too far away to see if they are Ours or Theirs. To the LDV HQ to be issued with an American 300 calibre rifle.

September 5

H.E. and incendiary bombs fall a few hundred yards away. Salary at the Fire Brigade increased by 5 shillings a week

September 7

Dorothy and her family move to the country. I move my bedding into their Anderson shelter, which is larger than our, privately-purchased, one. Two WAAF girls, from the nearby Barrage Balloon station, also sleeping in “my” shelter — all very cosy.

September 9

My cycle ride to the office takes much longer these days, due to diversions around bomb damage.

September 15

Name of LDV changed to Home Guard. Issued with Home Guard uniform. Now going to HQ most evenings, and doing some night guards.

3

September 22

Looting patrol at bomb-damaged shops in Lee Green. Bombs falling, AA guns barking away. Bloody cold.

October 10

Dad gets permission to join the Home Guard. Help Dorothy’s father to load his furniture on to removal van.

October 16

Wear my HG uniform to work, as the King pays us a visit.

November 3

No night raids, so sleep in my bed for the first time for nine weeks.

November 26

Big news from Dad. He has been promoted, and will be taking up a VIP job in Birmingham immediately. Promotion for me, too, to Corporal.
December 11

Mum to Birmingham to find a house

December 21

Cycle with Tig to Bompa’s house. After 41 years, he has left the Daily Telegraph. Put him on the train to Horsham, where he will be living with Aunt Rose. Pack Dorothy’s dolls’ house, and post it off to her.

December 24

Dad arrives from Birmingham in badly-battered car — he had a crash, but is OK. At night, I am Corporal of the Guard at HG HQ. Hear a shot just as Christmas Day is starting — Private Gardiner has shot a boisterous drunk — in the backside. Call ambulance — no great harm done.

December 30/31

Dad rings me in the office first thing — we are to move to Birmingham asap. Hear that most of the City is on fire, due to heavy bombing. Volunteer for canteen duty, and dish out meals to firemen all afternoon in Eastcheap. Back to LFB HQ, then all over the City delivering food to canteens until 0430 hours Out around the City again later — fires dying down — collecting containers and checking food stocks. “Very tired and grimy in the evening”.

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