Hey Manitas, Way back in 1949 I used to live just 'round the corner from Wanstead Flats in Forest Gate.

We weren't allowed to play in the pond there 'cos we might get Infantile Paralysis.

I can remember hiding under the desk at school during air raids.
and collecting shrapnel and making Christmas decorations from the silvered chaff that we'd collect in the fields.

And we used to chat over the fence with the German Prisoners of war, and go down the village and buy them cigarettes. And we'd listn to "Much Binding in the Marsh" on the radio.

Of course that was after Vera Lynn.

I can remember the train journey to Wales when we were evacuated. Somehow news of an evacuation train had gotten around and going through North London, people were waving to us from the windows in all the row houses.

I can remember DT BEFORE Mudcat.