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There is no question in my mind, that my memories of the time when I was a kid (born 1938) during WWII in Enfield, North Middlesex/London (home of the famous Lee-Enfield .303 rifle and other small arms) will always be with me. For the duration of WWII, I lived at 55, Redlands Road, in Brimsdown, east Enfield.
The air raids(constant), the air raid sirens, the air raid shelters and tables, the blackouts, the anti-aircraft guns firing at will were all 'the norm' for someone like me, who didn't know of any lifestyle at the time.
The rationing, the fresh food and drink shortages, not to mention all manner of other shortages, little or no entertainment; and most certainly no holidays -- day out trips included; meant that company had to be found with families, neighbours, friends, workmates, and school friends.
I started school in 1943, at Brimsdown(Green Street) School, and in 1944 was transferred to Eastfield Road School, where I stayed until our family moved to central Enfield in 1948. Two teachers at the Eastfield Road School I'll always remember are Miss Codling and Miss Mason; both very stern but very good educators.
Pupils I remember from that school are: Michael Cox, Geoffrey Tarbin, Edna Norbury(my first girlfriend(grin) ) and Audrey Speller. I can see the faces of other pupils, but cannot put names to them.
After WWII, and in 1948, I went to Suffolks Juniors; and in 1949, I went to the brand new school of Carterhatch Juniors, along with quite a few of my Suffolks School schoolmates. Names like Paul Hensman, Colin Lawrence, Robert Wood, Tony Martin, Billy Hawkins, Tony Howard, Terry Barrett, Ronnie Hemmings, Horace Yeoul, June Tyler, Julia Lemmon, and Pamela Hillman spring to mind; along with my teacher, Mr. Clayton, and the Headmaster, Mr. Preston. Mr. Hurry, the music teacher is not forgotten.
I passed the '11 Plus' at Carterhatch in 1950, and went on to Tottenham County Grammar School in High Cross, Tottenham, North London. Paul Hensman, Michael Cox, and Geoffrey Tarbin from my primary school days also went to this school, which I left in 1955.
The enforced circumstances of WWII forged a great sense of unity; at its very best when news arrived of loved ones being killed or missing in action, both overseas, and at home. Anyone with the modern-day 'Bugger you, Jack; I'm alright!' attitude, would have been 'sent to Coventry' in a real hurry. That sense of unity is still with me today; but, in so little evidence amongst so many others in this the 21st century.
WWII taught me to be very grateful to be alive, for what I have, and to stand up and be counted when my number is called out. I lost my Dad in 1949, as a direct result of his service with the Army overseas in WWII; and miss him more with each passing year.
In 1961 I married Mavis Dudley of Castle Road in Brimsdown; and in 1967, we emigrated with our then son and daughter to the Perth Metro Area, Western Australia, where we still live today. Our third child, a daughter was born here in 1974. Today our son and eldest daughter are married, producing four grandchildren for this family.
Those lessons of WWII have never been lost on my wife and I; the lessons and values being passed on to our three children and four grandchildren.
Lest we forget?
Pete Cavill, Western Australia, 2002
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