JOHN HORN RECALLS THE WAR YEARS

Dave as I recall the dugouts or air raid shelters were situated to were the sickbay was, about four in all just slightly back from
the path that led to Golding's lane more or less on the edge of the top field and built parallel to the path mostly below ground
level with earth packed on the top of the shelters.
As I came to Golding's in 1942 they were by then out of use due to flooding, there were steps leading down to metal doors that
were always kept padlocked we used the steps on the first shelter to have a drag out of the sight of prefects until they discovered
our little den then we would after find another secluded place to have a fag.
When I asked the older boys who used the shelters during the war they told me it was a bit of a fag having to get up in the night
and march down to the dugouts in only there pyjamas and a gabardine the dugouts were cold and damp the only lighting was a
couple of storm lamps hanging from the ceiling.
In my years at Golding it was almost the same procedure when the sirens sounded get up put your gabardine on take your gas
mask with you march down in double file through the governors apartments down a nice carpeted staircase to the library and
games room then the prefects would take a roll call and report to the Governor if any boy was missing, we also went through
the same procedure when we had fire drill.

I hope this account of the war years is of some assistance to you Dave to compile something of interest to who may read it
especially to the new residents of Golding's.
John Horn Aberdeen 42-45

Those Old Boys who have not been to Goldings since War was declared, would perhaps like to know what effect the War has
had on those who are still here. Apart from the first fortnight, when everybody was rushing about, filling sandbags, digging sick
bay dugouts and extra trenches, life goes on much about the same. It was during this fortnight that we experienced our first air
raid warning and it came in the middle of the night. This, however, proved to be a false alarm. The next alarm was' sounded
when everybody could almost taste their breakfast, at 6.45 a.m. to be precise. I had the impression that the boys enjoyed this
latter experience, partly due, perhaps, to the "wacking out" of chocolate in the trenches and partly due to the fact that shops did
not open until 10 a.m. Whatever the reason, however, the evacuation to the trenches was a great success without a sign of panic.
Now a word to those boys who one hears complaining about a War being on, when different restrictions are enforced they are
for your own good and safety, so use a little more common sense, and try to assist those who are responsible for your happiness
and safety.
Extract from Goldonian Christmas 1939