- Contributed by
- Alan Merryweather
- People in story:
- George Alexander (1903-1991), Annie Ethel nee Mabbutt (1904 - 1999) and Alan Fraser MERRYWEATHER (1934 - ). Mr BIERTON
- Location of story:
- Kensal Rise LONDON NW10
- Background to story:
- Civilian
- Article ID:
- A3271006
- Contributed on:
- 14 November 2004
I well recall the warm and sunny day in 1939 that a man came to dig the hole for our Anderson shelter in the back garden at 88 College Road,Kensal Rise LONDON. Mum gave him a cup of tea and a piece of fruit cake.
Often partly flooded, always damp and cold, my Father learned that it was possible to dismantle the shelter and re-erect it inside the house.
He decided to do this - probably with the help and guidance of our builder Mr Bierton who lived a few doors away.
Floorboards in the living room were sawn up (no solid floors in those days), and the shelter was re-erected on the house foundations about 18" (half a metre) below floor level. Two bunks were constructed inside and thereafter, it was a warm, moreover a dry place to go during air raids.
After the war the shelter was taken away and the floorboards replaced.
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