Such sad times during the war, but we were lucky

September 3, 70 years ago I remember very well. It was a Sunday. I was just 17 and visiting my mother-in-law to be, when we listened to Neville Chamberlain's speech and got very upset.

My boyfriend was a Royal Naval Volunteer Reservist on the Flying Fox anchored in Hotwells. Just a week earlier he was marched off to Temple Meads and on to Portsmouth, ready for war.

He was a welder in Hills dockyard before going. He then was put on a destroyer doing North Sea and Atlantic convoys. When his ship got hit in Bogie Harbour, Madagascar, he was sent back to Holy Lock, Sandbank, Dunoon on the Clyde, for a rest from sea.

When the captain knew he could weld he said he could stay for the duration. It was a submarine base so he could use his welding skills.

That was 1943, so I gave up my job in WD & HO Wills and went to stay in Sandbank.

I came home to have my first baby, sadly a son I lost at birth. I still have the little wartime telegram I sent my husband.

I went back again to Sandbank until my husband was demobbed.

Happy and sad times but lovely memories. Lucky to have him home from the war safe.

We spent 59 happy years before my husband passed away January 2000.

I hope you find my letter of interest. I could go on forever.

Mrs Jean Marsh, Bedminster.