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The year was 1938, the time when I went to London to work for the British Railway, Liverpool St. Station during 1938 and 1939, there were the rumours of war, with Germany, Hitler and his Nazi regime.

As history proved, we went to war, not only to defend our Country but to uphold our pact with the Country which we had promised to help in case of being invaded. The words of our Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, giving out our declaration fo war to Germany was something you never quite forgot.

At the time I thought, another war, but being young you feel unable to take in the magnitude of what it entails,but I learnt all about it afterwards. Because of a disability with my foot, I could not join the Army or Wrens, so decided to stay where I was. Many of the porters had joined the Services, so I was doing my bit, helping to keep the railways moving, essential for the war effort.

Mobilisation had started and the going and arriving of train loads of new recruits was now a daily occurrence.

The Blitz began in earnest early 1941, we began to have siren alarms with increased frequency, enemy planes came over, with bombs unleashed, their loads setting fires raging over London. The Railways were targeted, and the roofs made of glass were smashed to smithereens. Then came the systematic bombing of the city itself, cinemas were closed down and theatres were also closed, as Holborn Empire and several others were damaged, direct hits with people killed.

The morning the news came, that the King and Queen were returning to London, from where they had been staying, Sandringham. King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth. The Stationmaster was there in his top hat, duly looking smart for their Majesties. When the train drew in and the King and Queen alighted, the dogs were on leads, which did not stop one of them trying to 鈥榳ee鈥� against my foot. I was near the red carpet and just managed to miss a wee christening. The Queen was highly amused but she admonished the dog. I got a sympathetic smile and a wave of her hand.

During the blitz Euston Hotel , where I stayed, was hit. It so happened that I had gone out to do some shopping, however, when I came back the part where my bedroom had been was a pile of rubble. I lost my suitcase containing my personal belongings, the whole wing had caved in. Anyway, I was lucky; if I had been in I wouldn鈥檛 be writing this now.

I met a young American who had come over with the first contingent of G.Is, later on in the War.

It was at this time I met the famous star Bette David, also Clark Gable, and our own David Niven, from Hollywood before they all moved on. They were at the Forces Canteen, mixing with the the men and entertaining. Drinks were in full supply, you would not have guessed there was a War on, but then the Americans were well stocked up. They even had a supply of silk stockings which in England you could not buy in those days.

Our famous buildings and structures were under continuing attack, even Buckingham Palace was hit. All night life in the City was curtailed and everywhere was the atmosphere of darkened windows, subdued lights, the blackout nights had begun, and woe if you had a light on when darkness fell. Street Wardens and Police patrolled a city, and the outskirts too were all made aware of lights, which gave the German Air Force a clue to what lay below in the heart of a once bright city. The children of London were evacuated, as I watched each day, a new batch would be sent, all sporting tags on their coats accompanied by carers, some mothers went too, but some said their good-byes by the barrier. It was very sad and I felt for all of them.

Some children and mothers were sent by ship to Canada, but the ship was sunk in the Channel and there were few survivors. They were brought up to Liverpool Street, where we helped to wash the oil and dirt from out of their hair. The ship had a Red Cross on, I think it was the 鈥淎thenia鈥�, so the Germans knew it was a hospital ship, it was a wicked act on innocent people.

Leslie, one of my brothers, was the Stage Manager of Vic Oliver, who toured the cities in England as a violinist and comedian. He was also the son-in-law on Winston Churchill.
I met Mr Churchill at Downing Street, when my brother called there to pick up some luggage belonging to his daughter. We were told to go to the tradesmen鈥檚 entrance next time. I had the feeling our War Prime Minister was not in a good mood, yet understood later that he was not on good terms with Vic Oliver.

I did some relief work at various stations, because of shortage of staff. On one occasion I went to Chingford, there I met Anne Shelton, the well-known singer. She used to entertain the troops and also made quite a few records. She was in the bar with a friend when I met her. We had a chat and expressed our feelings about the War. She was a very nice person, very down to earth.

In 1941, the deputy leader of the Nazi Party and Hitler's second in command, flew over to England, for some reason of bringing the War to its close, some deal of which we never learned, from the German side. He was brought down in Scotland, and landed by parachute, injuring his ankle A farm labourer took him prisoner and eventually he was brought to London. I happened to see him when they took him from the escorting guards (soldiers), later he was imprisoned in the Tower of London where he was held. He later was sent to the Nuremberg Trials in Germany, for war criminals. He ended his life in Spandau Prison at the age of 92 years.

Most of my friends who worked alongside of me, lived down the line in Hackney Downs in Romford, Bethnal Green etc. streets of small houses . One particularly very bad bombing attack was concentrated on these boroughs, the homes of many of these small sections of workers, sustained a heavy loss of life. Three of my friends were killed with their families. The King and Queen Elizabeth visited the East End of London, to express their condolences. Also, Churchill came, to promise that we would give the Nazi鈥檚 a dose of their own medicine soon, which did happen later on.

The most expressive feature of this was the wanton bombing, was the aftermath, when the Survivors, the old and young who picked through the rubble for any treasured possessions which may have escaped destruction. The prams they used, some piled with useable bits of carpet or anything else there was useful, was a sight which I never want to see again, so sad for these brave people.

鈥淭he Dunkirk鈥� of our forces being withdrawn from France and the marvellous little ships, also tall ones and the feel of the people, all involved in getting the lads back home. Never has a Country such as ours, been so in unison as in those dangerous days of withdrawal. Some of these man came to Liverpool St. and we went down the train, serving tea and coffee. It was a moment in time, so to speak Just one mention of an episode during the war.

My friend and I went to stay with her familiy for several days well-earned rest. We met several R.A.F. boys who invited us to go with them to a dance, held at the Vicarage near the Aerodrome in Norfolk. We crossed a field to cut a long walk by road, the grass being tall, we had to part if to get through. Suddenly we saw a swarm of snakes, I supposed grass ones, but I am terrified of snakes and I bounded across that field in double quick time. When we arrived at the Dance Venue, we told the lads about this, they roared with laughter, and the Vicar had a laugh too. I got my own back however, as I had to dance in some heavy boots, because my shoes were in that field full of snakes and no way was I going to get them back. Has anyone ever tried waltzing in R.A.F. large-sized boots? Well I did, borrowed for the occasion. They never thought I鈥檇 do it.

I mention here that at the beginning of the War The King of Norway, Queen Wilhemina and Prince Bernhard were given asylum in Britain as their countries were invaded by Hitler.

I saw many Heads of State that day, including our King George and Queen Elizabeth, Duke of Kent, as they were welcomed to our Country.

I had six brothers, four of them were in the serving forces, all came back from the War and ended their days in retirement.

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