Childhood Shadows: The Memories of a Wembley Resident

My father, Alan Francis, was born in April 1930. He lived in Wembley and was not evacuated. Many of his school friends were evacuated to Canada on a ship called the City of Benares. Sadly, the ship was torpedoed, and they were all killed.

One night, my Dad's house was hit by a bomb. The semi next door was flattened, and part of their house was damaged. My Dad's mother was killed, but his father, little brother Robin, and himself survived. He used to sleep under the ironing board every night; it saved his life.

My Dad has an amazing memory and many stories to tell. He has been volunteering at the IWM for many years and is 93. He made a documentary a few years ago with my daughter for the BBC.