Children of Another Time
Published 11th April 2025
Children of Another Time: Cornish Childhood Memories From Truro in World War II
Childhood memories from the early years of the Second World War are bound together in a unique way within Children of Another Time, as Neville Harcourt Paddy takes us back to Hendra, an area in Truro, Cornwall, nestled beneath the city’s iconic viaduct.
With the arrival of war, everything changed, and the people of Truro took on work to help the war effort, whilst opening their already cramped homes to the evacuees.
Against the backdrop of blackouts, rationing and air raid sirens, for the children, life found its way into the cracks of war’s shadow. The woods and countryside surrounding the city became their magical battleground, where they waged their own fight against the despised Nazi regime, echoing the whispers of their parents’ fears overheard at home.
For these children, the war wasn’t just something happening abroad – it was etched into the fabric of their growing up, a strange blend of fear, resilience, and the unyielding spark of childhood imagination.
Through a distinctive blend of ongoing narratives and standalone stories, Neville intertwines the resilience of childhood innocence with the history and beauty of Hendra. Children of Another Time is a nostalgic tribute to a generation who grew up in the midst of war, finding light in the darkest of times.
ISBN: 9781852002169
Size: 217x140mm
Binding: hardback
Length: 298
Published 11th April 2025
Children of Another Time: Cornish Childhood Memories From Truro in World War II
Childhood memories from the early years of the Second World War are bound together in a unique way within Children of Another Time, as Neville Harcourt Paddy takes us back to Hendra, an area in Truro, Cornwall, nestled beneath the city’s iconic viaduct.
With the arrival of war, everything changed, and the people of Truro took on work to help the war effort, whilst opening their already cramped homes to the evacuees.
Against the backdrop of blackouts, rationing and air raid sirens, for the children, life found its way into the cracks of war’s shadow. The woods and countryside surrounding the city became their magical battleground, where they waged their own fight against the despised Nazi regime, echoing the whispers of their parents’ fears overheard at home.
For these children, the war wasn’t just something happening abroad – it was etched into the fabric of their growing up, a strange blend of fear, resilience, and the unyielding spark of childhood imagination.
Through a distinctive blend of ongoing narratives and standalone stories, Neville intertwines the resilience of childhood innocence with the history and beauty of Hendra. Children of Another Time is a nostalgic tribute to a generation who grew up in the midst of war, finding light in the darkest of times.
ISBN: 9781852002169
Size: 217x140mm
Binding: hardback
Length: 298
Published 11th April 2025
Children of Another Time: Cornish Childhood Memories From Truro in World War II
Childhood memories from the early years of the Second World War are bound together in a unique way within Children of Another Time, as Neville Harcourt Paddy takes us back to Hendra, an area in Truro, Cornwall, nestled beneath the city’s iconic viaduct.
With the arrival of war, everything changed, and the people of Truro took on work to help the war effort, whilst opening their already cramped homes to the evacuees.
Against the backdrop of blackouts, rationing and air raid sirens, for the children, life found its way into the cracks of war’s shadow. The woods and countryside surrounding the city became their magical battleground, where they waged their own fight against the despised Nazi regime, echoing the whispers of their parents’ fears overheard at home.
For these children, the war wasn’t just something happening abroad – it was etched into the fabric of their growing up, a strange blend of fear, resilience, and the unyielding spark of childhood imagination.
Through a distinctive blend of ongoing narratives and standalone stories, Neville intertwines the resilience of childhood innocence with the history and beauty of Hendra. Children of Another Time is a nostalgic tribute to a generation who grew up in the midst of war, finding light in the darkest of times.
ISBN: 9781852002169
Size: 217x140mm
Binding: hardback
Length: 298
About the author:
Neville Harcourt Paddy
Neville was educated at St Mary’s School and then the Technical School in Truro. At a very young age he was scouted to sing with a big band that played throughout the West Country, where he gained quite a following; but at the age of seventeen he joined the army. He had four years service with The Life Guards’ Mounted Squadron at Knightsbridge Barracks. He later worked in the Civil Service for many years.
In retirement he was elected Honorary Secretary of The Household Division, Cornwall branch, a position he held for ten years until the branch was dissolved. At this time he also lived for four years in Spain with his late wife Terri, and it was from here he began writing Children of Another Time.
Neville has stories archived within the BBC People’s War project about his wartime experiences in Truro as a child, including fond memories of the US Army who arrived in 1943.