Memories Ofpalmers Buildings

A Memory of Wallsend.

We used to live in Gateshead but because father was away in the RAF he thought we should live closer to his brother who lived at 116 High Street East, Wallsend, so we managed somehow to get a house at 16 Third Street, Palmers Buildings, the move was done with the use of a lorry that delivered coal, we did not have much anyway. Air raids were coming regulary, the house we left only had gas for cooking and light. We did not have time to fix the blackout curtains. The air raid siren sounded, mother went into a panic and switched on the electric light ,next thing you know the air raid warden is sceaming and kicking our front door "Put that light out!" so it was very dark, my brother and I were hanging on to mother, she moved towards the way out and fell down 15 stairs to land up with a scream against the front door with us. Then we walked down Third Street to the shelters, as we went along we saw flares being dropped on Jarrow and Hebburn search lights going across the sky, then we went into the shelter, amidst candle light and confusion. We spent along time in there that night. When we came out in the morning to look around and wonder if we still had somewhere to live, that was our introduction to Wallsend, but I grew up there and I still go back to visit with my sister who lives in Howdon. I think of it all the time. I have lots of memories of Wallsend, maybe someday I will put them to paper. As for me now, I have no regrets about living in Wallsend.