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In this narrative, Ken Dunn recalls the years of the Second World War.
I well remember leaving behind the war years, of having to get out of a warm bed to go down a long garden path to the air raid shelter, which was damp and cold, every time the sirens went. We could be there for a short while or for most of the night.
Nearby Seaham Harbour was bombed, and also Hartlepool and Sunderland Docks. I recall a Messerschmitt coming down behind the local cinema of Hetton (I lived nearby at Easington Lane.)
An American B17 bomber crash-landed next to Eppleton colliery, causing much excitement among us young ones. At school, Hetton Lyons, I was in the choir and went to Durham Cathedral on three occasions, singing in competitions --- didn't win though!
It was good training as I am now in a male voice choir. After leaving school I worked at Elemore Colliery, in the office, for 14 shillings a week (70 pence).
The lads down the mine got 28 shillings, so later on to earn more money I went down too, but as soon as I was able to I got out and joined the RAF.
My father was a deputy (foreman) at Elemore Colliery and he took a keen interest in the aged in his spare time, organising bus trips and concerts for the older people of Easington Lane and taking part himself by doing a monologue (Deck of cards).
On my first leave home, I had no clothes hardly, for my mother had given them away thinking I would be wearing my uniform all the time, from then on. Our clothes we joined up in had to be sent home until after our apprenticeship.
Much later, arriving back home again, I walked into the house, and found different people sitting on the couch.
'Who are you?' they said. It transpired that none of my folks had bothered to let me know they had moved house!
During a leave, I played in a football match for Eppleton boys. I was in the team earlier on and it was at that time that I met my present wife Hazel.
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