In this personal account, Pamela Cotton vividly recalls her childhood, from shortly before the start of the war to VJ day. The experience profoundly shaped her views and made her an ardent pacifist; views she holds to this day.
‘World War II had a dramatic effect on the lives of children in the UK, even in seemingly ‘safe’ country villages. At the age of six, I saw my father go off to war. With my mother and sister, we moved from our home in military target Colchester to live in the village of Rodborough in Gloucestershire.
I learnt first-hand how sensitive children are to the emotions and foibles of the adults around them; the constant undercurrent of fear that a major conflict creates. Most of all, I saw how peoples’ and politicians’ attitudes change; where the once reviled Joseph Stalin suddenly becomes “Uncle Jo”; where mass slaughter of cilvilians becomes a matter of satisfaction; and where, as a child, I discovered the hypocrisy of being told to live and love, whilst the adult reality in war is so very different.’
Pamela’s first book, ‘Dear Ruth: A lament for Bygone Africa‘, describes her later journeys in life.
122 pages with 21 images
ISBN: 978-0-9929289-7-1
RRP £8.00
To purchase a copy, please contact Chris at Milton Contact Ltd – chris@miltoncontact.com