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This story was submitted by Alan Welsh, a Radio Cumbria volunteer, on behalf of Cliff Charlton and has been added to the site with his permission.

Cliff was only 10 years old when the Second World War started. He was living in Bellingham, Northumberland.

There was a big training camp near Bellingham. As a boy scout, Cliff remembers helping the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Guard in mock battles, etc. to train troops such as the Lancashire Fusiliers. He recalls seeing lots of tanks in the area.

Sadly, Cliff saw a lot of planes crash. He recalls being very near one crash and running towards the burning plane where he could see the pilot still inside. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do.

The pubs in Bellingham were very busy at this time. Cliff remembers some good nights listening to the soldiers singing. He also recalls that he and his friends used to collect discarded ammunition. They used to take these to pieces, put them is a vice, hitting them to make them bang! Boys will be boys!

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