Going Underground for spot of shut-eye

WATChING a TV show about the Underground and the building of the Northern Line, memories came flooding back.

Way back in 1951 when I was doing my National service, we were told that we would be going to Cyprus.

our depot was the now defunct camp at Maresfield in east sussex.

on the day of our departure, our bags packed, we boarded a coach for the start of our embarkation. I was appointed draft NCo with the rank of full Corporal.

We arrived at our overnight stay at a disused Underground station called Goodge street Deep shelter. This was near Tottenham Court road.

At the entrance, we were confronted by stairs that led — eventually — down to our bunks. even though there was an open caged lift, we were told this was out of bounds and for the use of the permanent staff only. I tried to get a bit of shuteye, which proved difficult as the lights were on all night and a group of lads were playing pontoon at the foot of my bed!

After persuading them to move somewhere else, I think I did eventually nod off, but was awake for breakfast, served by the permanent staff.

one thing I noticed was that the lift door opened and inside was just a cup of tea, retrieved by one of the staff.

having had our tummies refreshed, we had to go back up all those stairs with our kit bags and rifles. This done, we then travelled to Liverpool docks and boarded a boat called empire Pride.

I’m 85, but have often wondered how long the shelter was a transit camp, and whether anyone else still remembers passing through it.

Jim ashton, Hayes, middlesex.