Childhood memories

- He was based in Cornwall
- When he was 4 years old, a small bomb was dropped and landed in the front garden, which blew open the windows
- Contributor's father (William Harry) was in the tank regiment, and used tanks called Matildas and Valentines
- Using the tanks caused William to lose his hearing
- William used to work in a gentleman's shop, telling others never to go into town on a Saturday night as the French and American soldiers would get rough
- Due to the fishing trade not being rationed, and being based in Cornwall, the family were rarely short of food.
- He did not know what sweets were until 1952 when rationing ended
- He remembers playing on the beach alongside German U-Boats
- Anthony's mother lost her brother on HMS Hermes, following a Japanese attack. He (Alfred Tomkin) was given the Atlantic Star, Burma Star, African Star and more
- The Americans were very generous, when Anthony was hungry they would take him to the American camp for free food