Childhood memories
by
Brian Dickenson
(Age: 73)
copyright 06-30-2005
Age Rating: 7 to 127
Childhood memories, age six and a half.
Most of this is from memories indelibly etched in my mind.
A little is what I later learned.
But all of it is true.
Liverpool, my hometown, was the most bombed city after London.
3,000 people were killed. And 11,000 homes destroyed.
Memory
I am standing in the yard at the back of our council house.
I should be in my ‘shelter’ under the stairs. Supposedly the safest part of the house. We were to learn differently.
I have sneaked out to watch.
It’s a beautiful May evening in 1941.
The moon has just risen. It’s big and yellow in a clear starry sky.
There are grown-ups standing around idly talking. I can hear snatches of conversations.
‘I see her at number nineteen got caught with a yank last night’. One woman muttered to her friend.
‘And her with her hubby fighting Rommel, the hussy’.
Our local Vicar is here, he is trying to console a woman who had received a telegram that day.
A war office, ‘we regret to inform you’. She is heart broken. Widowed with a child on the way.
Every so often they look at the sky, a questioning look on their faces.
‘They’re late tonight’. Someone says. Voicing what they have all been thinking.
It’s as if a guest is late for a party.
Another voice. ‘Maybe they aren’t coming’.
‘Don’t be daft woman’. Comes a reply.
‘It’s a perfect night for them. A real bombers moon that one’.
‘Here they are’. Someone else says, very calmly.
Then we can hear it. The unsynchronised throbbing of the German bombers engines.
‘Oh they are not that late after all’. My mother says.
‘I’ll go and make us a nice cup of tea before it starts’.
It’s as if they are waiting for a show to start.
In the distance the first crump of exploding bombs can be heard.
‘It look like Edge Hill is getting it tonight’. This said with authority by an Air Raid Warden.
‘Well he should leave us alone tonight then’. Someone offers hopefully.
‘Tea up’. Shouts my mother, as she brings out a loaded tray, with her Sunday best china, in honour of the Vicar.
As she passes the cups and saucers and prepares to go around with the teapot, also her best china.
A bomber, probably lost, gets rid of his cargo.
They land a few streets away. They are high explosives.
The noise is horrific. A blast wave sweeps over the houses.
Mother, who was just about to pour the tea, is blown head over heels down the yard. Teapot and cups lay shattered everywhere.
Luckily this time no one was really hurt.
But it was the first time I ever knew that mother could swear like that. Those Germans ears must have been red.
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It seems I have come across some great reading material as I wait for you to complete the posting of your book.
This is an incredible story. I often look at pictures of the war, towns blown apart, with children playing in the streets. It's impossible for me to imagine what it must be like to be living in a situation like that.
Now I don't have to imagine. I can see it through your eyes. Thank you for this experience, and for being here to tell us of it! You do have a flair for great story-telling.
A well-written, entertaining story. It's very captivating, and a bit haunting. It's amazing how people can go on with their every day lives with Hell going on around them.
I, umm ah, I'm sitting here in utter awe, it's beautiful with fascination if you can make sense of that. The children of today often don't know how fortunate they are not having had to endure something like this, as far as that goes I too must be thankful for my childhood. You sound like you definitely have something to tell Brian,
do us all a favor......tell it please. THANK YOU!!!
Brian...you should sit yourself right down and write every childhood memory you have in your head...You write with a style that is impossible not to enjoy. You yank the reader in right from the start and you keep a strangle-hold on them until the last period...Then, when you are done with your childhood memories, you can start right in with your teen years,then young adult memoirs, all the way on up. And don't forget to keep up with your essays and poetry...You have so much to say and I for one want to hear it all!...
Jean
I am so glad to have not lived this. I was spared all memories of war except the one with the ex-wife. That was bad enough and no shots were fired! This was probably a memory not easily forgotten and it shouldn't be forgotten. This is another great story. I'm not sure if I like your poetry or stories more! Anthony
LMFAO! This is great Brian! Now I see where you get your attitude from XD
I heard once that if a Nuclear war were to start and the end of the world were approaching, the British would just be like "Well...Cheerio then" It was a really odd animation...but you make it sound true XD LOL! Great job! Share more of these!
Welcome !
