After the War

Being a typical 'war baby' these recollections do not cover the war years but the period immediately after. Never-the-less I feel they are relevant as they demonstrate the profound effect that the war years continued to play well after the cessation of hostilities.

Born in 1946 and brought up in Lavender Hill and Banstead the strongest recollections I have of the aftermath of the war are rationing, free orange juice in those square bottles, Virol which I hated, home made clothes, never having to lock the front door, prefabs and playing in bomb sites!

The bonb sites were wonderful. No recognition of any danger at all and so many things like spent shell cases, bits of shrapnel and goodness knows what else to search out, treasure and swap.

Talk of the war was everywhere for most families. My Grandfather and Father had not been called up because they ran a business essential to the war effort but my Uncles and Aunts had wonderful stories to tell or remained silent which, to me was equally intriguing.

Both my Uncle Len and Les had been RAF mechanics in the Far East, Uncle Roy had been an Army driver, Auntie Gill and my Mother had been WAAF Plotters at Biggin Hill and one of my best friend's Father still suffered terribly from torture he underwent in a Japanese POW camp.

Even at school teachers were referred to as Squadron Leader this and Captain that and Policemen were similarly respected because of the medal ribbons on their tunics. During the 50's there was no forgetting what had happened and, as kids, I think we benefitted enormously from these brave people's experiences, example and reminicences.

I was so impressed with these ex-military people that I remember what high regard I had for my older cousins when it was their time for National Service. My disappointment when I was not called up, because National Service ended earlier, was probably what made me join the Royal Navy in 1962.

Even twenty years later when I left the Service and joined a commercial company the senior management were still referred to by their military ranks. Colonel Leo Domhill RGR, Commander Jack Haslett RN, Major Mike Lacey RA, Major Dick Greest RA, Liuetenant Commander John Ovington RN and myself, a relatively young 35 year-old war baby!

The whole point of this is to supplemnt the wonderful stories of those people who actually took part in the conflict. Just how long the influence of the second world war years remained with those who grew up in the period afterward is quite surprising and refreshing, as it shows that none of their effort was wasted.

Alan Cole
14 October 2005

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