Memories of a childhood in wartime Leith. The trials and tribulations of the period, allied to the camaraderie of the community in facing up to an uncertain future made a lasting impression on John Stewart.

I have to recall another episode when we had been let out of school to gather at the Foot of the Walk to welcome back returning prisoners of war.

These servicemen had been deemed to have had no fighting capabilities left due to their war wounds suffered before being taken prisoner.

Britain and Germany had agreed to this exchange of prisoners that had been arranged and supervised by a neutral nation. A shipload of these returning men had arrived in Leith Docks.

Some of the rescued crewmen

Dr Bell's, as with all other Leith schools, allowed every pupil to be present at the kerbside to witness the arrival home of these heroes. Each one of us waved and shouted as busloads of the blue uniformed soldiers passed by on their way up Leith Walk.

I can still recall the emotions of all those present, adults and children, as the soldiers waved back. For them, the war was over but for others it had yet awhile to go.

HMS Cossack returning to Leith in 1940 with rescued British crews from German ship Altmark

We were all present again in Great Junction Street when the King and Queen drove by in their police escorted limousine. We only caught a fleeting glimpse as they returned our waving and cheering.

John Stewart, 2001