Hope I’m ready for the next battle, which seems to be here now

Many years ago, we had a floating pontoon anchored a little way out to sea and people were able to swim out to it, have a rest prior to swimming back to the beach.

We also used to have ships anchored off the coast, and we were allowed to visit and have a look round.

I’m 90 now and remember so many things that were going on when I was young.

I was born here in a large family, and I remember during the war the whole beach was covered in barbed wire in case the Germans invaded, and machine guns were placed in strategic places along there.

The road signs were taken down to confuse the Germans in case they dropped in by parachute.

We had quite a lot of bombing take place as the Germans maybe had some bombs left after leaving London and finished up dropping them on the coast here.

I got caught up on several occasions whilst out cycling with my brother.

A young female neighbour was machine-gunned and killed coming home from work.

They used to machine gun anyone walking the streets in their line of fire.

Having gone through all that, I hope I’m ready for the next battle which seems to be here now.