Some interesting recollections there - and for sure we all seem to have been born at about the right time.
My mother was in the industrial NE coast during the blitz and she regularly used the air raid shelters at night. Her recollections mentioned lots of noise and frantic activity around the anti-air guns near the shelter, which were protecting the docks.
My late Uncle had apparently was in hospital at the start of the Battle of Britain having his tonsils out and aparently mentioned (and anything he said I would believe 100% without hesitation) that whilst in bed recovering he heard an aircraft 'dog fight' outside the hospital which he subsequently concluded (based on the timing) must have been the first German aircraft shot down in WW2, near Danby Beacon, by Group Capt Peter Townsend of 'Princess Margaret' fame. Incredible !
Story here (under 'Heritage'):
First Dog Fight