IT was a good many years ago that, in my TRM, on a fairly regular basis, I'd get correspondence from someone who used to call himself ‘Old Pill Boy’.
His thoughts, ideas and recollections were always most interesting and entertaining.
I have no idea who he was, or if he is still around…but, a while ago, I think it was H/west's David Tozer who reminded me of this old newspaper article, entitled… 'Childhood memories of Milford Haven during the Second World War...The Pill Boys at War’...that had been signed… ‘A Pill Boy’.
It's a delightful read, and I thought, over the next few weeks, I'd include these memories of a boy living, and sometimes relishing, wartime Milford Haven. Here's the first extract…
"Many people say they can remember events happening when they were very young, and their age when it happened.
“This may be so, but the only time I can remember my age, and the date of a big event, was September 3, 1939.
“I was nine years old, a Sunday, I believe, and the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, was to make an announcement at 11am. We all knew what that announcement was.
“We were at war with Germany and its allies.
“I immediately proceeded to the Rath, to watch all the battleships, aircraft carriers, and assorted Naval vessels arrive, but, much to my disappointment, nothing appeared.
“Not even a trawler, if my memory serves me right.
“However, life was now a different kettle of fish. As children, we all had to grow up very quickly…perhaps the reason why the present day youngster doesn't resemble the youngster of my day.
“Really, when thinking about it, we had more freedom, and had to learn to look after ourselves. Youngsters today, on the other hand, have a more restricted freedom, but seem to be spoilt rotten.
“As an example…we were lucky to obtain a second-hand, clapped out bike to occupy our time, at an age when they are acquiring new or good second cars, plus a free bass drummer in the boot!
“Our free time was spent on all sorts of adventures.
“A small coaster had sunk, just outside Castle Pill, between Wards Pier and the Pill outlet, and in rough weather, pom-pom shells and 303 rifle bullets would be washed ashore.
“We soon found out that by throwing them against the wall, the heads would loosen, and we could obtain the cordite. When lit, the cowboys had nothing on us!
“At the top of Robert Street, was a kidney shaped toilet, of French design, which one could see through…very unnerving. I never knew what happened to it, or how it got there. Perhaps someone has the answer.
“Behind the toilet, was a ruin of a house, which we used as a short cut to the top of Charles Street, and onwards to Pill, via Pill Lane (the Pill Lane gang presented no problem to us!).
“One day, I found a brown paper bag, full of two-inch copper tubes. Not ever having had anything so shining and new before, I brought them home to show my mother, who was making jam, in a large saucepan, on the open fire.
“She wasn't very interested, so I threw the one I was showing her on the fire, and, while she was in the process of reminding me of the message on the wireless, about the dangers of throwing things on the fire, it blew up, splitting the saucepan, so that the jam put the fire out!
“With great excitement, I told one of the gang. He took two of the copper tubes, and disappeared into his house, only to come out again, complaining that he'd put both on the fire, and nothing had happened. His complaints were suddenly accompanied by a loud bang and a distorted kettle.
“We later found out they were detonators, and many a pleasant hour was spent down the council fields after dark."
We'll leave it there for this week, but I'm enhancing Pill Boy's recollections with an old snap of the top of Charles Street, recently sent to me by John Kelly of Edward Street.
And in my best Pythonesque voice, now for something completely different.
My good friend Kevin McCauley, who's multi-skilled working history has already been included in TRM, has asked for my/our help. He recently celebrated his birthday and when a card popped through his letter box, although incorrectly addressed, (Mrs M McCauley, 66 Picton Rd), he felt obliged to open it. There were notes from the postman on the envelope, indicating that they'd tried, and failed, to locate the correct address.
They thought, finally, that Kevin might know something. Inside the envelope is a beautiful card from Mrs M McCauley's sister, Betty.
So, if any of our TRM readers should happen to know either lady, or what the correct address might be, Kevin (and I) would love to hear from you.
And, although he's now better known as an intrepid photographer, here's an old snap of him from the days when he was a diver.
Now time for the teaser, and last week's boxing one seemed to floor a few of you…the answer being that the boxers were women!
Those who avoided the punches were…Joyce Layton, Les Haynes, Anne and Jets Llewellyn, and Elinor Jones. Thanks to all who had a go.
This week's brain-basher is again from Les Haynes.
Take away the whole word, but still some remains?
That's it from me for another week, but I'll leave you with this proverbial thought…
Laugh and the world laughs with you.
Snore and you sleep alone.
See you soon.
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