FAREHAM IN THE WAR

I was born into a world that was at war.
me and thousands of other babies.My earliest recollections must have been the
day we spent under the metal shelter table.
my recollections of the andersen shelter are the ones that stick in my memory the most,The dampsmell and the smell of the candlewax from the burning candle light.
We all huddled under that simple construction for safety from hitlers bombs.We had taken a lodger in from out of portsmouth because of the bombing and he use to get under the hedge instead, I dont know how safe that was. but I suppose he was just as safe as we were.
I remember the sound of the bombs hitting the ground with a tremendous wallop. and the aa guns going off.The sound of planes flying either friend or foe,I was not that old but I will always remember these.

Towards the build up of D day my recollections are more vivid the build up of troops of all uniforms, Americans were in camped at Roche court just out side Fareham.Australians with their turned up bush hat were standing outside THE SAVOY the picture house in fareham.There were Canadian troops, Indian, Polish, every road was packed with tanks, brengun carriers guns ready for embarking from Hardway. GOSPORT.and
SOUTHAMPTON.All along the southcoast.
I stood as a small boy and watched the tanks go by the bottom of gudgeheath lane
on their way to SOUTHAMPTON for the invasion
although I didnt know it at the time.

I further witnessed the bringing back of German pows who were marched off to be held at DOWNEND pow camp just outside Fareham.They were later used for the rebuilding of houses at nearby bridgemary estate.

My father served in the RAF he joined up in 1939 until demob in 1945. His time was spent mainly at 932 sqrd 12 balloon centre
Titchfield Fareham. He done his training at RAF CARDINGTON. He moved to RAF KIDLINGTON in 1944 to 20PilotA F U for22HGCU.Skegness air sea rescue duties.

When he would come home on leave I could always remember the chocolate bars he would have, that he had miraculously obtained, very scarce in wartime. My mother worked at Vospers who occupied a old farm at the end of our road called Blackbrook farm,
They done marine engine repair work ,I remember the kids parties we had there.

My eldest sister done her war service in the Wrens in signals she was stationed at Fort Southwick and was at SOUTHWICK HOUSE with the d day planners when MR Churchill
and Eisenhower were there.She told me later in her life that all personnel were confined to barracks to keep Dday a secret.
She knew a lot about D day because of being in signals. What a temendous important time in anyones life that must have been.

My wife and I recently made a pilgrimage to the battlefields of normandy, to be and walk on the sands where so many brave men that I witnessed going to embark to war had fallen.This will stay with me for the rest of my life.

A relation of mine fell on the second day into the invasion at Hermonville he is buried in the war graves there, we did find him. His name is Dennis Woodford of the Seaforth Highlanders 19YEARS OLD.

LESS WE FORGET THE SACRIFICE THEY GAVE

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