Author recalls tough days of war

9:40am Saturday 15th March 2008

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A NELSON pensioner has chronicled the trials and tribulations of being a child evacuee.

James Sinclair, 79, has written about his early years highlighting the plight of families during the Second World War.

A Wartime Trilogy, published by Blackburn firm Cremer Press, is aimed to appeal to both young and old alike with stories that will bring back memories for some and shock others of the younger generation.

Mr Sinclair said: "I wanted to write down my memories to share with others. I have enjoyed the experience greatly and it has helped me too.

"It was not a happy time in my life and there are so many stories. We were never given the rations we were supposed to have and most of us were treated like slaves."

The trilogy features three separate stories - A Way Out, Welsh Scouse and The Cobbled Slope - published together for the first time.

After being evacuated to Bangor, North Wales, for three and a half years, The Cobbled Slope sees Jimmie return to his family - not back to Liverpool, as he expected, but to Nelson where his mother has been re-housed.

Once again James re-lives his childhood as he recalls the continuing story of his return from evacuation or yet another life in another town.

From what he saw on the train on his way to Lancashire he wasn't impressed by the "ugly mill town with towering chimneys spewing out grimy black smoke."

He was missing Wales already, with its clean sea air and surrounding hills and mountains.

The Cobbled Slopes follows Jimmie from the age of 13 right up to 20 after his national service.

• A Wartime Triology is published by Cremer Press, 45 Harrison Street, Blackburn, BB2 2JE priced £9.99.