The VE 75th commemorations were sadly much reduced this year because of the coronavirus lockdown. But out of bad often comes good. Quite by chance, and as a result of a recent VE Day walkabout (socially distant, of course) we made contact with John Maslen, now in his 96th year of life – and what a life! John grew up in Welling, joined the Welling ATC in 1941 then the RAF in 1942 to ‘do his bit’ for King and country.
As Bexley Local Studies and Archives are currently researching all those who served in WW2 and those who died, including civilians, we put Bexley Librarian Will Cooban in touch with John. Will met with John, from afar, and wrote the following:
John was born in Plumstead in 1924. Soon, though, the family moved to Welling – Camborne Road. John’s father was in the Royal Navy in WW1 and later worked on the docks – they loved visiting the Woolwich Ferry together and seeing the huge ships on the Thames. (He was particularly impressed by the huge Mauretania, which sailed up the River just before the war)
He started work aged 14, (14!), with a job at an advertising agency in Tin Pan Alley in Denmark Street, and saw some sights there! But soon war came, and he remembers seeing central London almost destroyed in the Blitz.
John has very happy memories of Welling as a boy – a great place to grow up, fishing for tiddlers in Danson Park, and watching horses on the polo field. But best of all were the woods around Shooters Hill, building dens, finding golf balls, and the great views over London.
He recalls Welling being bombed – one by the bridge by the station, and signs for UXBs which meant a huge detour on his way home…”But I could have just jumped over the crater and been home in 2 minutes!”
John remembers the ME109 being shot down in Wickham Street in 1940 – he and a friend pedalled furiously on their bikes to be the first boys to see it!
He remembers a shelter in the garden, and his house being damaged – a hole in the roof and a hole in the floor and a great lump of metal debris in the middle…He described it as “a bit of a hit”…
And he remembers visiting Welling Library and after tiring of Just William books, pleading to be allowed to use the adult library…at long last, the Librarian relented, and that’s where he started borrowing books about adventure, and aeroplanes…and soon he was off to join the RAF – but that’s another story!
JOHN MASLEN RAFVR – 1942-1947
A great man, and a pleasure & privilege to meet him – they don’t make ‘em like him anymore.
(John has kindly lent his diaries to Bexley Archives, who will hope to copy them, and keep John’s story alive for future generations to read and remember).
Thoughts – a poem by John Maslen
When it’s day and all is light, I wonder When it’s night and all is dark, I ponder I wonder about many things, And cry Like why is it sometimes I am sad Of things that happen that are so bad It’s sad when good plans go astray And people do not mean what they say I wonder why nations have to fight I ponder about what can make things right. Wonder and ponder have left me enthralled But also has left me bloody well bald.
Thanks Will for sharing John’s story with us.