I was 3-1/2 years old when World War II was declared. I lived in a rented house in Winton, Bournemouth, with my parents Nielia and Jack, my brother Cyril, who was 5 years older than me, and my sister Pamela, who was 2-1/2 years older. I clearly remember my parents listening to Neville Chamberlain's radio address to the nation on September 3, 1939, announcing that Britain was at war with Germany.
Some of my vivid memories include a landmine (parachute bomb) that hit the nearby school (Alma Road School) on 16 November 1940, and being attacked by German fighters on the beach at Swanage on 17 August 1942.
My sister Pamela has already posted accounts of both these events and I will post stories about other memorable things that occurred during those years.