I just found this book and can't wait to delve in. The author, Harry Pearson, recounts his childhood (one that never ended) spent re-enacting WWII. Plenty of stuff about war gaming and Airfix soldiers.
I recall immediately after the war kids playing in the street with the war souvenirs brought home by their relatives. German helmets, bayonets, samourai swords, the modern nanny state do gooders would have had multiple coronary infarctions if they could have seen it. But for all that exposure to violence and danger that even the kids had witnessed during the Blitz they still managed to grow up to be responsible adults, and all wthout the doubtful benefits of "counciling".Maybe the old "stiff upper lip" had a more beneficial effect than is recognised today.
I recall immediately after the war kids playing in the street with the war souvenirs brought home by their relatives. German helmets, bayonets, samourai swords, the modern nanny state do gooders would have had multiple coronary infarctions if they could have seen it. But for all that exposure to violence and danger that even the kids had witnessed during the Blitz they still managed to grow up to be responsible adults, and all wthout the doubtful benefits of "counciling".Maybe the old "stiff upper lip" had a more beneficial effect than is recognised today.
Well said Sir!
At the very least the pre-playstation/XBox generation had imagination. We played wars in the sand and in the mud, around the house and in the back garden. We played with our plastic toy soldiers and tanks, made houses and pill boxes from cardboard and lego. As we got older we learnt how to use enamel paint, milliput and plasticard and cut our fingers on craft knives.
Bliss............!
Excellent post 2!!
And we went out from morning to dusk,built camps,played Cricket,climbed trees and Lord knows what else,mind you in those days we did have good old fashioned Hot summers!
Rob
Aye i remember those days up at 4.30 and a clip round t'ear from me Da, and dripping sarnies for breakfast and I was thankful for it.
Then down t'pit to spend day at t'coalface. Chocked up with coal dust , aah those were the days.
Back home for another clip round me ear from Da and a 'nother round of dripping sarnies if we were lucky.
I tell thee what. Kids today. Haven't got the foggiest.
Y'know what? Me Ma would head down t'store with her ration book and 2 bob and be able to keep us lot going for a week and keep the the Whippets fed too.
Ah tell thee - we didn't need none of this X-box Call of Duty shenanigans - we'd have two sticks and a hoop, 3 lads and be able to play t' entire D-Day landings.
Good times!![]()
Do I sense a hint of p**** taking in this post?!
Rob