Seeing the smiling and laughing friends in this photograph brought back my childhood memory of a few years previous. I'd be woken up, dressed in my Siren Suit - it was a one piece suit that zipped right up to the neck with a hood. After that I was put under the table for safety before being taken from there in, perhaps, the middle of the night - all in a mad rush 'down the lane'.
The lane was a water track down through the cutting that led to the Cockett Air Raid shelters.On the way down one night, I was told to look up to the night sky and could see the searchlights lighting up an aeroplane. 'Hurry up', someone shouted 'It could machine-gun us!'
On reaching the bottom of the cutting we found that the first air raid shelter (now the bus stop) was full and we had to move onto the second shelter further along the road. After a few hours sleep we had to make the journey back up to our homes - our parents always wondered if they would still be there. One of the houses was hit by an incendiary and burnt out, although I didn't see that happen! I can remember going over to Mayhill to see my grandfather's house, which was destroyed during the bombing a few nights earlier.
One day I was out in my back garden, when there was a loud noise. Looking up, I saw this huge aeroplane fly so low over the house and carry on up between Goronwy Road and Graiglwyd Road and then shoot straight up into the sky twisting and twirling as it flew. My mother said, 'He was showing off to his girl friend that lived in Goronwy Road!'
My Dad had an American soldier friend Arnold, who would bring me Superman comics. I'd get so excited! He'd come up to our house in his lorry with the American Star on the doors. He also gave me the skullcap that was worn under their helmets. I had it for years and wore it when I started work. There were plenty of Americans near us in the Cottage Homes in Cockett, whenever they passed we would ask, 'Any gum, chum?' We were nearly always given some.
The American soldiers would play baseball on the main road, and nearly always hit the ball down the road to the crossroad at the bottom, and one of us school kids would pick it up and take it up the hill - trying to throw it up. No good as it would not go far and start to roll back! The reward was some gum!
During this time I can remember my mother's sister taking me down to Penclawdd to see another Aunty who was a sergeant in the NAAFI. On our way through the camp there were thousands of American soldiers on the bank. Suddenly the air was blocked by wolf whistles - it made my Aunty's day and mine to, to see so many soldiers.
Memories I'll never forget of the Second World War include - going to see 'Ack Ack' guns along Mumbles Road and walking along Lon Coed Bran onto Townhill Road, to see the channel filled with boats.
At the end of the war a street party was held and we had a bonfire as well. All the people were singing and dancing to music laid on by a neighbour. I often wonder what has happened to most of my friends that you can see in the photo.
Doug Warner
your comments
We're making some changes to the sites shortly and although this form will be closing, you will have other opportunities to contribute on our new-look site.
Peter Bakkenist, ex Swansea
Pat ScottYou ask about American Soldiers in the Second World War. They were camped in Singleton Park, Swansea immediately before D Day
Sun Jun 21 22:04:40 2009
Pat Scott Liverpool
Can anyone help me? Where were the US forces stationed, during the war, in SW Wales? I am researching where they were and what they did. Thanks for any help
Tue Jun 9 12:06:21 2009
Pamela Williams nee Paton
My grandmother Ethel Maud Paton, her two daughters Eunice Morgan,Linda Rose Paton and her infant grandaughter Denna were all killed in the three nights' Blitz over Swansea. Her son Alan escaped and later emigrated as a war orphan to Australia.
Mon Feb 9 15:09:59 2009
Henry Jensen from Pontyclun
I lived in Manselton Road during the war and one outstanding memory was a time I was out around the corner in Brondeg when I saw an aircraft circling Swansea it then dropped a stick of bombs on a hill near Llansamlet and flew away, shortly afterwards the air raid warning sounded but by then the pilot was probably back at his base and I know I must have beaten the world sprint record to get back home.
Fri Nov 7 11:54:39 2008
Keith Davies from Carmarthen
I remember looking out of my bedroom window in Eaton Crescent and seeing the bay full of ships of all kinds. The following morning they had all gone - D-Day. My father served on the Scarweather lightship which was sunk in 1941 - was also on the Roger Beck pilot boat.
Fri Apr 4 09:45:00 2008
Glenda Parkhouse/nee Miller Swansea
I remember being in Nelson Street Nursery School and we were taken outside to see the first barrage balloon being raised over Swansea Docks. I was about four-years-old at the time, but I have never forgotten the sight.
I also remember being told that my friend Anne, who was born the same day as me, had been killed, with other members of her family, when a bomb fell in Brynsifi/Portia Terrace. I am glad I was alive during the war as there were many good memories as well as sad.
Mon Jun 4 09:32:37 2007
Anne Davies from Waunarlwydd
My mother Anne is almost 94yrs old . She worked as a police woman driver during the war when she was stationed at Gowerton Police Station.. She recalls driving the Chief Superintendant of Police to a meeting at the American Camp stationed at Penclawdd.
She recalls being given doughnuts by a couple of African American soldiers whilst she waited .Does anyone have any information about these troops. As I understand it, there was segregation in the army at that time so the troops would have been an all black regiment. Does anyone have information about this please?
Finally, I have a small dance card entitled DAFFODIL BALL HEADQUARTERS COMPANY SWING AND SWAY WITH THE USA.
Mon Dec 18 18:10:28 2006
Carole from Hafod, Swansea
I remember hiding with my gran under the stairs in our little coalhouse, with fingers in my ears to block out the sound of the bombs dropping. There was no way she would go into the shelter. She would sing to me. One song was, 'When They Sound The Last All Clear', and many others until the all clear was sounded - then on with the kettle for tea for anyone who needed it.
Tue Aug 29 10:58:50 2006
Thomas John Kneath Jnr
Hi Tom Hennegan, Its your old buddy Tommy Kneath here. Not sure if Royston is from the same branch as me.
Thu Mar 16 14:44:52 2006
Lyndsey Davies from Swansea
I am trying to find out any information regarding the Air Raid shelters/tea rooms that used to be in Singleton Park during 1942/43. I am a Community Parks Officer for Swansea West and I have had a request from a gentleman who would like to see a notice/plaque displayed of it's history. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Fri Mar 10 09:05:11 2006
Addi Robinson
I'm a student in Swansea College and I needed some research on Swansea during the war for a production. I would like to thank every one who posted and Doug for info. So thanks it was a really big help.
Thu Feb 2 12:01:39 2006
Tommy Kneath from Swansea
Just to let John L. Johnston know that I Tommy Kneath jnr late of Teilo Crescent is not sure if himself and Royston Kneath are related.
Sun Jan 15 18:53:59 2006
martin horton gower
Hi.
I remember the americans landing on the beach
in Horton Gower in the Ducks, vehicles which could drive on the roads also in the sea they camped in our garden and introduced me to gum!
Wed Dec 14 18:28:11 2005
H. Ellis Swansea S. Wales
I'll not forget the night in 1941 when the german planes bombed Mayhill School, while the firemen were putting out the flames they were machine gunned by the planes and had to leave the school to be burnt to the ground. The firemen took refuge in a shelter next to my home. The wooden school was never re-built. I lived two doors away from the school, and, as children do, we went across to the site the following morning to retrieve the molten glass from the windows they looked like marbles.
Tue Dec 6 11:59:24 2005
Doug Warner Swansea
Lawrence, the lane came down from the junction of elphin crescent, graiglwyd road and lon coed bran. There are now steps leading to the bottom, at the bottom to the left along about 100 yds was the first air raid shelter, this one was turned into a bus stop. The next shelter was a few hundred yards along on same side. Hope this helps you.
Tue Nov 15 19:36:20 2005
Laurence,Swansea.
Re;Doug from Clase.
Great article.Where was the lane and the air raid shelters in Cockett please?I'm hoping to do some research on the Cockett area and this would be great info.Thanks and best wishes to you.Laurence,Cockett,Swansea.
Sat Nov 5 13:40:42 2005
Wojtek SP8MI
Hello Doug. Congrats! Ur pages are very interesting. Greetings from Poland - Carpathians to Wales UK.
Wojtek SP8MI
Thomas Griffiths
I was 18 years old and working at Stubbs Mercantile Offices in Swansea when a bomb came down and destroyed part of the building including loss of life. It made me so angry I enlisted and served five years with the RAF most of it in India.
Mon Oct 31 16:21:41 2005
Tom Hennegan, London
I wonder is Royston Kneath any relation of
Tommy Kneath Jnr late of Teilo Crescent
could he let me know?
Thu Sep 29 15:40:28 2005
John L. Johnston
I am a US vet who was stationed near Llanelli and then to Ohmha beach. I knew a girl whos first name was Rosealey she lived at 26 High street in Llanelli. I wonder often if she is still alive, she was a nice friend and I am 82 now and I still think about the times just before the invasion...
Tue Sep 27 12:29:54 2005
Bernie Freeman, Melbourne Australia
I was evacuated to wales in 1940 and billeted with the Thomas family in Iscoed Rd Hendy. My mother sisters and aunt Rachel who married Roydon Thomas and raised two children Alan and Robert are still in the Bont. I visited them in 2003. I remember watching Swansea being raided just about every night. I'm 71 now and I will never forget Wales.
Fri Aug 19 05:11:20 2005
Betty Blewett from Swansea
Nights spent in air raid shelters, babies crying, old men snoring,no sleep then teachers telling us off for arriving late at school. Kids today you dont know your born.
Tue Jun 28 15:26:06 2005
Elle
Good work.
Tue Jun 14 14:45:15 2005
David Davies, Levin, New Zealand
Lived at 241 Gors Avenue. On the first of the "3 nights" we were visiting an aunt who lived further down Gors Avenue when the siren went. We went to the make-shift air raid shelter in the cupboard under the stairs. We heard a loud banging on the front door and an ARP Warden told us to get out since there was an incendiary bomb burning away on the roof...Read more of this story.
Mon May 16 06:37:12 2005
Harry Parcell now living in Ipswich
I went to Gendros school from 1935 to 1942. One outstanding memory of the early part of the war is of watching a daylight raid on Swansea docks from the tip that existed opposite the entrance to the school yard. The time of the air-raid co-insided with school starting time but the noise of gunfire and aircraft engines made that event too exciting for us ten-year-olds to miss. Several of us rushed to the top of the tip from where we could just see part of the docks area. Our headmistress, Miss Mort, was in the school yard furiously ringing her handbell ordering us to come down from the tip immediately. We were more frightened of Miss Mort than of any enemy aircraft activity so we sheepishly hurried down to the school to face her wrath. We were lined up, severely lectured on our behaviour and each given the cane on both hands.
Sat Apr 23 19:34:29 2005
Shaun Mcmahon
People who lived in that era are lucky to be alive.
Thu Apr 14 14:09:52 2005
Michael Emlyn James from Sedona Arizona
I lived in Morriston, 31 Pentremalwed Road through 1946 and still remember vividly the bombing of the docks. My mother took me down into Swansea 2 days later and it was still burning. Also went through the captured U-boat in the docks. Letters from my father (who was serving in Egypt) came in burnt envelopes one day, meeting my first Yank, and VE and VJ day with a great bonfire.
Fri Mar 18 14:51:40 2005
Jen L Colbert Swansea S.Wales
Lovely to read of these memoirs from someone who lived through a turbulent time in Swansea.
Also lovely to hear of place names I know of so well.
Mon Mar 7 22:02:19 2005
Devyn Lempke from Minesota
It's always nice to read true stories about life experiences during world war two.
Tue Feb 15 20:30:44 2005
Do you have memories of life in the Second World War? Send in your thoughts here.
