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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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A Railwayman's War: Part 2

by ERNIE CRUMP

Contributed by 
ERNIE CRUMP
People in story: 
Ernest Crump
Location of story: 
Shoeburyness
Article ID: 
A2061802
Contributed on: 
19 November 2003

On this particular day, I decided to cycle to the Engines 'The long way', before signing on for duty.
Heading home, over Elm Road Bridge, past the Gas works, the allotments, Brick yard house and stables, and just past the Waterworks and Millbanks Meadows. I heard above me the droning sound of an aircraft, the droning sound belonged to a twin engined Heinkel Bomber, heading out to sea and back to Germany.
I carried on cycling towards Shoebury High Street, then another aircraft noise, a Cannon firing Spitfire, the first of this type that I had seen. Then a burst of its guns (sounding like rapid Burps) hitting the bomber, which exploded into a cloud of smoke and bits. ( I have often wondered if this scene was filmed by the spifire pilot, and shown on the Battle of Britain film?)
After witneassing this event, I carried on cycling past Wakering Avenue into the High Street then into the Engine sheds and signed on for duty.
PS: I don't remember hearing the siren.

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