A FORMER prisoner of war has given a new insight into Broadway life during the 1920s and 30s.

Colin Hall, who lives near London, originally wrote his memoirs for the benefit of his children and grandchildren, but the 89-year-old has now released his story to the wider public.

His book, Dropped In It, follows the grandfather-of-four right from when was brought to Broadway as a three-year-old boy in 1924, having been rescued when his birth parents abandoned him.

Mr Hall went on to spend 10 happy years at Glenrosa Cottage in High Street, attending the village first school and becoming a choir boy at St Eadburgha’s Church.

Mr Hall recalls a time when children had the freedom to roam the countryside and when a ride in a car was a rare treat, as well as mentioning some familiar names from 1920s and 30s village life, from Mr Arnold, the grocer and Scoutmaster, to celebrated Shakespearian actress Madame de Navarro.

And with one vivid memory, he describes a fire which destroyed his neighbour Miss Massey’s house. “The woman was hanging out the window on a sheet,” he said. “There was no fire engine in those days. If you had a fire you had to put your hand into a box down the street and ring a bell. Then the firefighters were supposed to come out to you.”

The middle section of the book tells of his exploits in the Parachute Regiment during the Second World War, during which he spent six months as a POW, and later his success as a shopkeeper running a chain of decorating shops.

Then in 1967, Mr Hall was able to follow his dream of returning to the village of his upbringing to run the then Waver Trees Guesthouse. “I love Broadway and I still visit when I can,” said the 89-year-old. “I quite enjoyed our time running the guest house, although it was a very hot summer, and I’m very pleased with the way the book has turned out.”

Dropped In It by Colin Hall is available online at amazon.co.uk.