King Alfred's Tower c1955, Bruton

War Years

I was born in a village near Bruton in 1939. My early memories of walking to school with my gas mask in a bag over the shoulder (never had to use it). There was an army camp down the road from our cottage, so there was lots of activity around. I used to watch the searchlight, thought at that time it was very exciting. We used to wait for the convoys of American soldiers to pass the bottom of our lane, they use to throw strips of chewing gum to us, which was a treat as we hadn't seen it before. I attended Bruton County School from 1944-1954. I go back to Somerset as often as I can and visit family and friends, but never seem to meet any of the past pupils of my old school. I am many miles away from Bruton now, but have memories that I will cherish forever.
Audrey O'Halloran - nee Hutchings.