Falkirk
Writers' Circle

WARTIME GRANGEMOUTH

01/2011

by Jean Currie

How times have changed in Grangemouth since the days of World War Two.
Important was its airfield served by loyal boys in blue.
Those airmen trained as pilots, young laddies in their prime,
Allies of friendly nations, four hundred at a time.

The town hall was their billet with accommodation stark,
Balado housed the overflow, now known for "T IN THE PARK".
When very soon the bridge was bombed, we knew this war was real.
And when the rationing was enforced, we'd to cut down every meal.

The population was increased with men from all the forces,
Italian prisoners, Merchant Seamen, Airmen from many sources.
Important were the dockyards with vessels to repair,
Submarines and merchant ships, they each received their share.

The soapworks now made glycerine for explosives for Nobel.
At least it saved the local folks from suffering that awful smell!
The factory at I.C.I. made use of every area
to manufacture drugs that helped the forces fight malaria.

Going out in blackout was never a lot of fun.
You often had to apologise when you bumped into someone.
You groped along the fence or hedge to avoid going on the road.
It helped a lot when the moon was out, or even when it snowed.

Many were the casualties of Grangemouth who were lost,
Paying the ultimate price, paying the final cost.
Their names are all recorded on the memorial in the park,
lest we should ever forget those awful days of gloom and dark.

But concerts and the dancing which you went to with your pal
helped us all be cheery and keep up high morale.
We didn't have a stadium but an outdoor swimming pool,
while dips in the murky river in the summer kept you cool.

Many were the contrasts like the news of the London Blitz
While we enjoyed Max Bygraves when he had us all in fits.
The Roxy and La Scala were where we socialised
with lots of foreign laddies with whom we fratemised.

Siegfield Line, Run Rabbit were some songs which made us grin
while everlasting classics were all sung by Vera Lynn.
We hadn't beard of tellies but were often out at night.
The pictures that brought pleasure were mostly black and white.

Yes, times have changed in Grangemouth since the days of World War Two
with industry that's mushroomed and businesses anew.
Generations later we can still all share a joke
and count our many blessings, for we're all proud Grangemouth folk.