Ref. 29675-4A PURTON author is waiting to see whether his wartime memories will be transferred to the small screen.

Sid Walker, 79, of Hooks Hill, at various times helped his family look after wartime child refugees from London and was a member of the Home Guard.

In the last few years he has taken to writing, producing short stories, novellas and verse, and exhibiting and selling his work at local arts gatherings.

He was intrigued to read in the Advertiser a few days ago of an appeal by Testimony Films for help in preparing a documentary for HTV about the wartime experiences of people in the south west.

Sid, who worked in the accounts departments of firms across the Swindon area, retired in 1986 and has four children and four grandchildren.

He said: "If I hear of somebody needing information, I'll supply that information if I can. I had always loved writing poetry but it has only been in recent years that I have started writing articles and stories.

"I've had articles printed in Best Of British Magazine and I'm a member of a small writers' group."

When he read the article about the film company's quest for wartime memories he sent off a copy of a recently-published 38-page book called Memories Of Purton In The 1940s.

The book consists partly of a fictionalised account of the experiences of a young London refugee called Jimmy in the village during World War Two.

It is derived from Mr Walker's own memories of the refugees sent there.

Also in the book is a thinly-disguised account of Mr Walker's own experiences as a member of the Home Guard the domestic force set up to repel any Nazi invasion of Britain.

Although immortalised as Dad's Army, the Home Guard also recruited teenage boys such as Sid who were too young to be conscripted to the Armed Forces.

His memories range from learning Morse code with comrades to defending Purton from "attack" by the Cricklade unit of the Home Guard during practice exercises.

The book costs £1 and is available from Sid on 01793 771607.

Anybody who wishes to share their memories can get in touch with Testimony Films by writing to Clair Titley at 12 Great George Street, Bristol.

Barrie Hudson