My Treasure – John Charles Duffin

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‘Archie’s F.A.P. Hat’ ‘This is my treasure – a “tin hat” from the 1940s. Both my brothers, Archie and Paddy were involved in the Civic Defence in Belfast during World War II. Archie was in the FIRST AID PARTY or F.A.P as it was then know. Archie loved his tin hat; he spent hours polishing it until it shone. Unfortunately it would also shine brightly during an air raid so he was ordered to paint it blackboard black! During an air raid, the Antrim Road, Belfast was devastated. Doctor McSorley’s home, who was a Specialist in the Mater Hospital, was severely damaged. The house fell down around his wife who hid under a stout kitchen table. Archie’s party dug her out alive’. Story written by John Charles Duffin, Cargan and member of Glenravel Young at Heart