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Jim Heptinstall was born into poverty at Millfield, Sunderland, Co. Durham in 1925 and was brought up in Potts Street. He went to Millfield School from 1930 to 1936, and then to Havelock School from 1936 to 1939.
Growing up before the war was hard, but we didn't starve, for the Salvation Army soup kitchen came round and neighbours really helped neighbours.
Mums turned the ropes so the girls could skip, and older girls joined in after work. We could play in the street; not like today. We did not have TV or radio or other things like today but we had fun.
On September 3rd 1939 war was declared. Blackout, no street lights except in town, very dim. I served as a messenger on a heavy rescue unit.
When I was just 10 I worked at Ditchburns cabinet works, Villiers Street, and a year later I was employed by Northern cabinet works, which was also in Villiers Street. In 1941 I started my apprenticeship at the Sunderland Forge.
Then in 1943 I joined the RAF, and the following year I was off to parts unknown: India, Bombay to Chittagong, down through Burma to Singapore; then on to Java, Sumatra, back to Singapore and then back home in 1947.
I missed the really bad winter of 1946/47, Baksi beat Woodcock that first night ashore. I bought a Daily Mirror next morning, and its headline read, "Fags go up a bob. Forces concession cut." ......Welcome home Jim.
After serving in the RAF in India, Burma and Indonesia, Jim spent the remaining six years of his term with the RAF on home ground in Yorkshire, Wales and Essex. From 1965 to 1989 He worked for the CEGB.
Jim Heptinstall, Alabama, USA, 2002
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