Our World War II Memoirs - Dedicated to Mum & Dad

I was born just after the war 9th September 1946, in the baby boom years, when most of the soldiers had returned home from the war having experienced a traumatic time of losing comrades in battle and in most cases some family members or friends, but also rejoicing in our victory gained. My story touches only brief moments recollected from the war period, which were told to me by my parents who sadly have now passed away and are commemorated in Colchester cremetorium.
It really is just an expression of gratitude for their bravery and endurance of those fearful and dreadful years, and of course having brought me 'Ray Marion Chandler' into a world of peace, leaving the horrible past behind, hopefully, forever, although perhaps not altogether forgotten.

Having been born just after the war 1946, most of the soldiers had returned home from the war. They including my father, who survived and had experienced losing many comrades in battle, but also not without some near scrapes himself. Luckily most, if not all the family survived and were saved. For instance, my father at one point was recorded missing. He was in the Buffs regiment stationed at Dunkirk. Whilst most of his regiment were killed on the beaches by the enemy, my father and several others just ran for their lives. Eventually, thank God, they were found. My mother said she received a telegram/letter saying FOUND alive and Okay, but had very sore feet.

In civilian life, on the other hand, my mother was living with her parents in Forest Gate, East End of London, which was very badly bombed. They lived at the back of Sandringham Road School (Ratcliffe Road) There was an airaid shelter in the garden but the school was very badly hit and almost completely demolished in the blast. My mother said, sadly one of her dearest friends, who was pregnant at the time, was found dead hanging on the top of the school tower. Very sad, it must have been an awful sight. Not very pleasant job for the person having to reach and bring her down. Another story told by my mother, was the time she had been to the cinema (called pictures or flicks in those days( she went to catch the bus, but just missed it by a couple of inches. At the time she was annoyed, but fortunately is was lucky she did, because just as it turned the corner it was blown up by a bomb (not sure what type could have been a doodlebug), this remindes me of modern times connected with the terrorists act in London recently and the people killed or injured on the bus. I wonder if their were any people who missed their bus on that day too? I must admit I am rather thankful too my mum survived, as I would not be here writing this story today either.

This is just a brief recollection of many incidents which happened. I just felt I had to contribute my parents part in the archives. Thanks to you all and a very happy new year for 2006.

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