 Strawberry Field was the name of a Salvation Army children 's home just around the corner from Lennon 's childhood home in Woolton , a suburb of Liverpool . Lennon and his childhood friends Pete Shotton , Nigel Walley , and Ivan Vaughan used to play in the wooded garden behind the home . One of Lennon 's childhood treats was the garden party held each summer in <unk> Park , near the home , where a Salvation Army band played . Lennon 's aunt Mimi Smith recalled : " As soon as we could hear the Salvation Army band starting , John would jump up and down shouting , ' Mimi , come on . We 're going to be late . ' " 
