R
Robert Harrison
Guest
Thank You Mister Anderson
(Part Four)
“Harrison, for goodness sake boy, keep in line”.
Benny Howse, our teacher of class 1b, was marching
The class off to the air raid shelters which were built
On all of the three playgrounds of our school, Billesley
Elementary School in Trittiford Road.
“And where is your gas mask boy?” “Left it on my
Desk Sir”. “It’s no good being on your desk is it, silly
Lad, supposing the enemy drops gas do you think that
You can get back in Time? “No sir”. “No sir, No sir
Go back and get it lad”.
Every one had to carry their gas masks everywhere
They went. “They are issued for your protection”
Said a minister of the War Department. So we carried
Them everywhere. I even took mine to the toilet,
And wore it. Well I had a need to you see. Mind you I
Did look a bit of a twit. (No, don’t try and picture it).
Little babies were put into a very large gas mask
Called a Mickey Mouse. It had a cellophane viewing
Piece so that the parent could keep an eye on their
Little precious. At the front, there was an air escape
Valve, and when us big kids put the mask over our
Heads and breathed out hard, the valve made a rude
Noise, just like a wet fart. Cor, did we laugh.
The shelters were build about six months after the
War had started. Brick and concrete blockhouses
That was to save the future gun fodder of England.
(If the war lasted that long, but it would be over by
Christmas so they said). They were fitted with wooden
Benches along each wall. There were no lights, and
Only an entrance at each end of the shelter. So you see
There were pretty dark inside. We had another problem
(Well the boys did) The girls were made to sit on one side
Of the shelter and the boys on the other. As I have already
Said, war can be cruel at times.
Before we arrived at the shelter which 1b had been assigned,
There was a shout. “Look sir, look up there in the sky”.
We all looked up, bumping into each other. (We hadn’t the
Sense to stop walking before looking up).
We were to witness our first Dog Fight between our fighter
Planes and the Germen’s. Spitfires and Hurricanes against
Messerschmits. (ME 109s). Though I am not certain when
These planes came into service. I do not suppose it matters,
Not at this point in my story. Our first sight of a battle in the
Air was taking place before our young excited eyes.
(Part Four)
“Harrison, for goodness sake boy, keep in line”.
Benny Howse, our teacher of class 1b, was marching
The class off to the air raid shelters which were built
On all of the three playgrounds of our school, Billesley
Elementary School in Trittiford Road.
“And where is your gas mask boy?” “Left it on my
Desk Sir”. “It’s no good being on your desk is it, silly
Lad, supposing the enemy drops gas do you think that
You can get back in Time? “No sir”. “No sir, No sir
Go back and get it lad”.
Every one had to carry their gas masks everywhere
They went. “They are issued for your protection”
Said a minister of the War Department. So we carried
Them everywhere. I even took mine to the toilet,
And wore it. Well I had a need to you see. Mind you I
Did look a bit of a twit. (No, don’t try and picture it).
Little babies were put into a very large gas mask
Called a Mickey Mouse. It had a cellophane viewing
Piece so that the parent could keep an eye on their
Little precious. At the front, there was an air escape
Valve, and when us big kids put the mask over our
Heads and breathed out hard, the valve made a rude
Noise, just like a wet fart. Cor, did we laugh.
The shelters were build about six months after the
War had started. Brick and concrete blockhouses
That was to save the future gun fodder of England.
(If the war lasted that long, but it would be over by
Christmas so they said). They were fitted with wooden
Benches along each wall. There were no lights, and
Only an entrance at each end of the shelter. So you see
There were pretty dark inside. We had another problem
(Well the boys did) The girls were made to sit on one side
Of the shelter and the boys on the other. As I have already
Said, war can be cruel at times.
Before we arrived at the shelter which 1b had been assigned,
There was a shout. “Look sir, look up there in the sky”.
We all looked up, bumping into each other. (We hadn’t the
Sense to stop walking before looking up).
We were to witness our first Dog Fight between our fighter
Planes and the Germen’s. Spitfires and Hurricanes against
Messerschmits. (ME 109s). Though I am not certain when
These planes came into service. I do not suppose it matters,
Not at this point in my story. Our first sight of a battle in the
Air was taking place before our young excited eyes.
