00:00:04 Introduction

00:00:40 Harold is born 13 April 1929 in Aberthin on the outskirts of Cowbridge, one of nine children

00:02:20 Harold attends Y Bont-faen School, Cowbridge; school discipline and childhood games; playing on the moors

00:04:18 The wireless brings news of the outbreak of war; Harold’s father’s experiences in the First World War make him glad that Harold is too young to fight

00:05:50 The issuing of gasmasks and weekly practices in using them

00:07:37 Remembering the air raids and a downed German plane at Lake Farm, St Athan Road

00:10:30 Food shortages and rationing meant having to grow food in the garden

00:12:34 Harold's father would come home from work and listen to the day’s wartime news on the wireless radio

00:13:19 A strict blackout policy; the Home Guard was based in Cowbridge Townhall; local roadblocks and Home Guard members

00:14:50 Dangers of the blackout; accidents with some fatalities

00:18:38 The Italian POW prisoner breakout from Island Farm Camp

00:19:33 Many American GIs were stationed around Cowbridge at Llansannor, St Mary Hill and "the Downs", and were made welcome by the locals

00:20:40 Cowbridge Townhall was the centre of entertainment, including dances and cinema screenings, the previous cinema on Eastgate Street having burnt down; Harold’s early memories of the cinema

00:22:57 POWs working in the local area

00:23:39 As a child, Harold finds the uncertainty that war brings to be frightening rather than exciting

00:24:05 Many evacuee children from London, Kent and Reading were billeted in the area and integrated well, but some were scared of the local livestock

00:26:52 The town was shut off for the VE celebrations

00:27:46 Outro