Home Leave to Manchester

I was home on disembarkation leave (not knowing where to but it turned out to be Egypt) from RAF 56 squadron North Weald Essex. I arrived at my future wife’s home to find it empty and in the darkness of blackout. This was Welsh street, in Deansgate, Manchester. The site is now the Crown courts in Manchester. A neighbour heard me knocking and came out to say they were down the shelter and directed me to the basement of ‘Simpson & Godley’ and the entrance to the basement which was opposite the stage door of the Opera House.

Down there I found over 200 people. On seeing me my future Father in Law, John Grimes, told me I was just in time, “Go up to the house and brew a jug of tea!” I did as directed and returned with the tea and my accordion. I was down in the shelter for about an hour playing tunes until I decided it was time for me to go and get some sleep. On the way back to the house I nipped in the stage door of the Opera House to say hello to the doorman, a fat Cockney called Ted Ryder, and an old friend. On stage at the time was the Famous Alan Jones remembered for his “Donkey Serenade” from the film Firefly. Whilst I had been chatting to Ted a group of girls had gathered at the stage door to cach a glimpse of Alan Jones and get an autograph. As I took my leave of Ted and pushed my way through the blackout curtain Ted called out “Good night Mr. Jones.” The girls mobbed me and I signed lots of autographs with love from Bob. It wasn’t till on of the girls took out a penlight and shouted, “’ere he isn’t Alan Jones!" that I was found out and had to make a dash back down the air raid shelter.

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