'I had everything I desired in Glasgow' - love and life in 1940s Maryhill

Where did you live? Garscube Road, between the Round Toll and Queen’s Cross

Earliest memory? Being taken to visit my mother’s parents on Sunday afternoons. My granny had lunch prepared, then I did the puzzles in the Sunday newspapers.

Describe your house: Top floor tenement, a room and kitchen, with the added luxury of an inside toilet. My paternal grandfather lived with us. I had one younger brother, Billy. We had the usual black sink, with a swan-necked brass tap. The coal was kept in a bunker in the kitchen. There was a pulley above our heads for washing. My mother was very young and did her utmost to bring us up in comfort. We were one of the first households to have a modern three piece suite. In 1937, something wonderful happened - the gas lighting was replaced by electricity. No more rushing to put a penny in the meter before the lights went out. My mother sent away for a beautiful walnut radiogram from Barkers in London. I still remember the neighbours up our close coming to see it.

School: Oakbank Primary. I loved it. I was at school the day a barrage balloon blew up, during WW2, and the windows imploded. I played for the school football team.

Favourite cinema: The Astoria. It was modern and big and a short walk from home.

Favourite shop: Alec and Meg’s newsagent shop, for the Beano and sweeties.

Did you go dancing? Yes, at Maryhill Burgh Halls, mainly. I preferred the old time dances, like the St Bernard’s Waltz, or the Palais Glide, taught at school.

Best thing about growing up in Glasgow? Coming back after being evacuated to Canada in 1940. I had everything I desired in Glasgow.

Happiest childhood memory: Meeting a wee girl standing at the next close to mine when I was 12. Eleven years later, I married her, and Marion Scullion and I have been together ever since.

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