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Location
New York
Age
17 Years

12th August 1940

Although I didn’t turn in until 0230 I had to be up again at 0430 as we were at a quarantine station. We were only there for 3hrs., then we moved into Erie Basin, New York. From here we could see the Statue of Liberty and the great misty skyscrapers of Manhattan. We had to have our finger prints taken as we had no passport. All I wanted to do was to get amongst the skyscrapers of Manhattan. I went with Jock. We went on a bus and subway to get there. No conductors on buses or trains, but just put 5 cents into a slot machine and walk through a turnstile. We went to 42nd Street. It was dark when we got there, but there was enough electric and neon lighting to light the whole of England. It was amazing. On we walked until we came to Broadway. This was just how I had imagined it. Plenty of Music Halls, cabaret, picture houses, dancing halls – and women. We met several people who wanted to know who we were, and where we were from. They were surprised when we said we going back again. They thought it was dangerous! Two men in particular were very nice to us. One of them said he would take us to the top of the R.C.A building. It cost 50 cents. It was absolutely wonderful. We went to the top in the fastest elevator in the world!! 70 storeys in 37 secs!! Coming down was equally thrilling. The Empire State Building and the Chrysler building were just opposite us.

Original Sketches & Photos