Memories of Bristol during the War and Long Ashton

My mother 'Sarah' has no access to a computer and is not well enough to do this herself. I am her daughter Ray (Rachel).

Bombs in Long Ashton

She clearly remembers going out to visit a friend and whilst walking there a bomb dropped nearby from a German Bomber that had overshot Bristol. She was blown into the hedge but went on to her friends regardless! She said that was just what you did and not let the bombs get to you. Needless to say her father was not best pleased when she returned! Another time an incendiary bomb dropped through the roof and onto the stairs of the house next door and they had to help put it out.

Also when the hospitals in Bristol were in danger all the patients that could be were moved to places that were as safe as possible and as many of the nurses as could came out to my grandparents house and slept wherever they could on the floors etc! Although Bristol was not as badly bombed as some other places the city sometimes looked as if it was entirely on fire. I'm glad St Peter's on Castle Green Has just been left as a reminder espeicially for the younger generation.

Filton Raid

She also clearly remembers the raid on Filton when so many were so brutally killed when coming out of the factory at the dinner break and tried to get away on anything they could even some that were badly hurt were riding on car roofs in their attempt to get away. They obviously timed the raid so as to kill as many as possible.

News of the Concentration Camps 'Breaks'

The most enduring memory that she has I suppose is when the news of the concentration camps was broken after the Americans had gone in. She said the cinema was cleared of all children but she said she saw he news in absolute horror. In fact itwas so horrific that many people would not believe it. She has told me those images will never leave her.

Clifford Arthur Case

My grandfather was an ambulance driver in World War One often taking his horsedrawn ambulance beyond the front line and sleeping underneath. He lied about his age so as to join up with all 'his mates'! My Mum says he clearly forsaw the next war quite a few years before and got a few foodstuffs in but didn't stockpile. He also made sure they had a shelter in the garden. (We used to play in it when we were kids - it was great fun going underground!).

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