That Dreadful Wailing Siren

I was about 3 years old and living in an Anderson shelter in the garden. My dad popped out for a smoke during a lull in the bombing, and my brothers and self rushed out when he came back in to find the "dogend" and have a smoke. The sky was filled with flashes and the noise of the Siren both "take cover" and "All Clear" are constant memories. The house next door was demolished by a doodlebug one night. I remember standing in Kings Cross or Euston station one day along with my two brothers pushing and being shoved by hundreds of children being evacuated to Sheffield to be safe. When we arrived in Sheffield the sirens started immediately and we were hustled into a large church and given cups of something. The air raid lasted a couple of days and l think we were returned to London once again, anyway we didn't stay long in the safe location!
I was lucky to have grandparents who had found accommodation in Kennet Hall Norfolk. They invited me to stay with them for the latter part of the war and l loved the country and could not face Dagenham again. The Hall was full of beautiful Stubbs paintings of horses, and the gun room had real leather chairs. We dined on Pheasants and partridges, rabbits and had a walnut tree in the driveway. The hounds were constant companions in their kennels and l spent happy days riding the tractor with Ernie ploughing and reaping.
I found that on return to Dagenham and the daily food rations, cold water and small fires were not for a 5 year old. I managed to rejoin my grandparents in London W.I. and lived like a lord until l qualified to go to sea as an officer with P & O Passenger lines. The war was a nightmare of bad sounds, screaming bombs and shrapnel but everyone l met took little heed and all seemed jolly and content. I don't remember hearing any complaints. I didn't complain myself as l was new to the world and this was all l knewk. I was astounded when it was all over and there were no more bombs and shattered houses and we had things to eat l never dreamed of. The rationing went on for several years after the war and it seemed that London was in ruins for most of those years. I remember the spitfires and hurricanes on display for us to play on after the war. I went with my chum Ernie one day to Horse Guards parade to play with the tanks and aeroplanes. Ernie saw an army truck he wanted to play in so we jumped. He turned the key and the truck started its engine. Apparently a soldier had parked it a few minutes before not thinking kids were watching...
I also remember climbing into a small jet fighter. It seemed so cramped to a small boy l wonder how the pilots must have felt. I still collect books on the war and continually thank all those brave men and women that kept Britain safe for us.

Thank you all again so very much.

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