Childhood memories of the Second World War remain vivid and some of the experiences of Welsh children are recalled in this week's programme, Thursday, September 8, 7.30 to 8 pm, ITV1 Wales.
Among those sharing their memories are the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, Rhodri Morgan, the novelist, Leslie Thomas and Molly Parkin, who was born in Pontycymmer, but who was brought up in London.
It was a time when some children lost touch with their relatives; it was a time of danger, deprivation, but also excitement. Mervyn Matthews, born in Swansea, recalls his reaction to the news that war had broken out. "I was absolutely delighted. I went dancing down the street I was so excited, but it soon became apparent it was a pretty serious matter."
Leslie Thomas recalls staged 'battles' between 'armies' of 30 to 40 children and children making devices which they thought would keep the Germans at bay.
Evacuees came to North Wales from places like Liverpool, but Welsh children were also sent to places of safety. Mervyn Matthews was evacuated to a farm near Carmarthen and to a different way of life.
Eric Harris, of Milford Haven, remembers the bombing of oil tanks in Pembroke Dock, and Haydn Williams, of Swansea, tells of the horrors of the bombing raids on Swansea where nearly 400 died - half of all those who died in Wales during the war. Haydn Williams's abusive father died in the bombing having been too drunk to join his family in the air raid shelter on one particular night of heavy bombing.
Sam Evans, of Tywyn, lost three brothers on a day in May 1944. The three youngsters had gone for a walk on the mountainside to check on their father's cattle when they were blown up by a stray motor trench grenade left the the army.
With the end of the war came the street parties, the sports day, the carnivals and the bonfires. Leslie Thomas dressed up in his sister's clothes and put on her make-up to join the festivities in Newport. It must have been pretty convincing. "A lance corporal in the South Wales Borderers grabbed me and kissed me," said Leslie. "It scared me out of my wits."
Childhood in Wales is a Zip production for ITV1 Wales, narrated by Sian Phillips and produced by Mary Simmonds and directed by Richard Pawelko. Historian Peter Stead adds his thoughts to the programme.
This programme is subtitled. Teletext page 888.