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I was about six years of age when I was evacuated. I was very fortunate because Mum came with me. A few months before we went, our house in Curate Road was bombed. There had been a bombing raid on the railway just down the road from us. We could hear all the mayhem that ensued and even though I was only young, it made a huge impression on me. At this time I was an only child. Dad worked in a reserved occupation down at the docks. Later, he was to go down the mines. Mum and I were sent to Rhuddlan in North Wales, about three miles from Rhyl. We were billeted in a small cottage in Parliament Street. The owner was a Mrs. Grey. Her husband was in the Welsh Guards serving overseas and she had a son, Jimmy, about three years older than me. The cottage was very basic, no bathroom, no proper toilet. In fact, the privy was very primitive, this was a wooden bench with a hole underneath which housed a large bucket. This was emptied about three times per week and the contents taken to the nearest cess-pool.

We lived in a close proximity to the ancient castle. It was a wonderful place to me. I roamed at will round its battlements, across the drawbridge, strode across the now defunct moat. My imagination knew no bounds. I did experience some nasty incidents for a time. Jimmy, the son, subjected me to some severe bullying. He threatened me with dire consequences if I blabbed to Mum. I was too scared to say anything. However, my Dad paid us a visit one week-end, caught him in one of his escapades and threatened him with a hammering if he didn't stop. He stopped! After that we were alright, never bosom pals, but friendly.

I can recall an incident which, young as I was, really brought home the grim reality of war. One lovely summer day, Mum and I walked to Rhyl. It was quite a walk- still, we walked at a steady pace and eventually reached the seaside town. I had never been there before and young and innocent as I was, I grew excited at the prospect of running barefoot through the sand and paddling in the sea. The reality was that row upon row of barbed wire encircled the beach. A member of the home guard told us that the beach was mined. Even in such a lovely place, War triumphed!

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