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BEN ALDERSON

My name is Ben Alderson and I am 81 years old, I was brought up in a family of eight in Wallsend, Tyne & Wear. I met my wife during the war and later married and have a son and a daughter. I now live on my own in a residential home in North Tyneside.

During World War 11 I worked in the shipyards at Wallsend, Tyne & Wear. I was employed as a fitter in Parson’s blade shop making turbines for ships that were built on the river Tyne. I applied for both the army and navy at an early age, but was unsuccessful. My contribution to the forces was the repair of damaged ships. That was the best way I could help during the war.

I was in my early twenties during World War II. My distinct memories compared to today were that public transport was non existent and street lights were not lit at night.
I remember returning to Tyneside on a train journey in the blackout, the train broke down. There was no alternative transport home so I walked, it took me two whole days to get back home.

The biggest bomb I recall falling in Wallsend was the direct hit on Wilkinson’s pop factory. This must have been a stray bomb intended for the shipyard on the Tyne. The bomb hit the Anderson shelter at the factory and caused heavy casualties.

As told to the student’s of Churchill Community College on Friday 28th November 2003.

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