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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.
With the War ending in 1945, my final year at Dr Bells primary school in Leith began. This year would end with our qualifying examination that would determine our future education.
We sat this early in the spring of 1946. When the results came through, I found that I had come out with the highest marks.
I was declared the Dux of the school and as well as my certificate I was awarded two books, Treasure Island and Kidnapped. These were inscribed and I am glad to say that they are still in my possession to this day.
I can't leave Dr Bell's behind before recording some of the after-school activities we got up to. A number of my classmates, including myself, would often return to the playground in the evenings.
A favourite game was kissing the girl of our choice. No sex was involved, in fact I don't think we ever thought of the game as such. It involved boys who had collected tram tickets with the serial numbers totalling 21.
We presented such a ticket to the girl of our choice and she returned it with a kiss. We loved the game, but as I have said, it went no further.
As a member of the Salvation Army I was discouraged, even forbidden to take part in any game or pastime on the 'Lord's Day'.
My friends, or pals as we called ourselves, didn't look upon me as anything different from themselves because of my non-involvement with them on Sundays.
I was no saint and they knew it. I would join in anything they got up to during the week but Sunday was different. They had great respect and, dare I say it, love for my family and appreciated my position.
As it was, I often passed the time on Sundays by taking tram rides with friends who were similarly restricted. Our favourite was the Churchill Circular on the No's 13 or 14 cars operating on reverse routes.
The evening was spent listening to the wireless. This would change when I left the 'Army' in the fifties.
John Stewart, 2001
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