Memories of a childhood in wartime Leith. The trials and tribulations of the period, allied to the camaraderie of the community in facing up to an uncertain future made a lasting impression on John Stewart.

I had begun my primary school education at Dr Bell's School in 1939 just a month before the War began in September. As no air raid shelters had been provided there at the time, I was dispersed along with my schoolmates to various community halls about Leith.

The Band of Hope in St Andrew's Street, St Thomas's Church Hall in Mill Lane, Leith Co-op Boardrooms in Cables Wynd and Market St. Mission were all attended in turn.

When it was apparent that the danger of air raids was over, normal schooling resumed. However, this was sometime in the future and Leith would get a taste of bombardment from the air.

A number of children had been evacuated to the country and overseas at the outbreak of hostilities and my mother was given the opportunity of sending me to a friend in Canada who had offered to accept me for the duration of the war.

However, she turned this down. Despite the dangers, she could not be blamed for this decision. Looking back, if I had been faced with the choice, I would have done the same.

Evacuees, September 1939

An air-raid shelter for us in Cables Wynd was provided in the cellars of a tenement in Sheriff Brae near St Thomas's. We used this on the occasion of the German raids on Clydebank. It was an exciting time for a boy of six years.

Despite the rude awakenings of the wailing sirens, I looked forward to the community spirit pervading in the shelter. All the children had been provided with bunk beds and we would lie awake listening to the good-natured banter of the adults. Everybody's spirits were kept up with the cheery sing-a-longs during the long nights.

One particular evening, land mines fell near the Leith Town Hall causing severe damage in the vicinity and several deaths.

My aunty Peggy had been suffering from a poisoned hand and could not bear the pain much longer. The local air-raid warden was doing his round of the shelters at the time when he arrived at ours.

On hearing of her discomfort, he offered to accompany her across the road to Leith Hospital. Despite the emergency prevailing, the hospital staff treated her immediately.

The air raid warnings continued for a time after this, but no further damage was inflicted upon Leith. My grandma became philosophical about leaving her house for the shelter. 'If I am to be killed then I would rather die in my bed' she declared.

David Kilpatricks School. Bomb damage 1941

Weighing over 20 stones and very rarely leaving her house at other times, maybe this influenced her decision. Anyhow, she survived the war.

John Stewart, 2001