Ken Chambers was a typical small boy playing in the streets of Brighton before the Second World War. But unlike most of his friends, he kept a diary, which forms the basis of his childhood memoirs which have now been published.

Now 87, Ken still lives in Brighton not far from where he was brought up in the streets surrounding St Luke’s Church in Queen’s Park Road.

What shines through in the book are the close friendships he made, particularly with his cousin Cyril, who sadly died during the war.

Ken says he was reduced to tears while writing the book, even though Cyril was killed the best part of 70 years ago.

Cyril, an airman, was reported missing only a month after his marriage. Later it was discovered he had been shot down during a bombing mission over Germany.

Ten months older than Ken, Cyril was also a member of the choir at St Luke’s.

The church and its nearby hall became the centre of their many activities as children.

It helped that there was a charismatic clergyman in charge of the church at the time, the Rev Oscar Brooks.

Ken says: “He made a big impression on both Cyril and me and indeed all the young people at the church.

“He had a terrific sense of humour and a flair for getting us to do anything for him. In return we felt we had an adult friend who always had time for us and was great company.”

The boys joined most of the youth organisations such as the Scouts and also formed their own association called the Junior Detective League. Members never did much detecting, but simply liked the name.

Ken also remembers many summer visits to a small farm at Spithurst, a tiny village about 12 miles from Brighton near Barcombe The boys would camp and explore the neighbouring countryside, which included the upper reaches of the River Ouse. They hired flat-bottomed boats from a pub called the Anchor and paddled them more than a mile to a waterfall.

Highlights of that year included a visit to the Home Life exhibition at the Dome and Corn Exchange, a smaller version of the Ideal Home Exhibition in London. They watched new gadgets being demonstrated and hoped for free samples of food.

Children who did not have a bath at home also made regular visits to the Cobden Road public baths with their piping hot water and gleaming taps.

Ken also remembers the coronation of King George VI in 1937 when he says Brighton was alive with festivity, displaying flags, bunting and coloured lights everywhere.

He went to Preston Park with Cyril to watch a 21-gun salute being fired and fireworks in the evening set off from the ends of both piers.

The outbreak of war changed many lives for ever. Ken and his friends watched in horror as people were killed or injured in bombing raids and familiar buildings were blasted.

Most of the boys eventually joined the forces and Ken was in the RAF. He married his sweetheart, Margaret, in 1945 and was demobbed the following year.

Ken had a successful career with an international oil company and has enjoyed a long, happy marriage.

But the memories of his childhood friends in Brighton remain strong and he feels a spiritual force joining them will never be broken.

  • Brighton Diaries by Ken Chambers (Hanover £7.99).