Caravan Park Early 1950's

A Memory of Datchet.

I was 5/6 years old and lived with my two sisters, older brother, baby brother and mum & dad in a cramped caravan that was given to us after the war.
We were called 'gypsies' but my dad worked at the Woolwich 'arms factory' as a machine-minder for the duration of the war. During the 'blitz' he had to do his his share of 'fire-watch' on the roof.
The house my parents and my eldest sister and brother were given was bombed, which led to my mum, who was pregnant with my other sister, taking them back to Wales.
At the end of the war my dad went back to Wales and I was born 1946 (10 months after VE Day)
Because of work, we all came back to the Slough area, and acquired the caravan, living at Dorney first and then Datchet 'polo ground' .
Me and my sister Valerie went to school at Datchet and my brother Colin went to Ragston Road school.
I remember many houses around the caravan park had been bombed but were a great place for me and my friends to play.
My baby brother was born in 1952 but died 5/6 months later, due to illness caused by living in cold/damp conditions.
The Slough Observer did a story about us, which led to us getting a council house.
It was small reward for my dad being away from his family for best part of the war - no medals!
Despite everything, I still have fond memories of Datchet.

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