大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by volunteer from The Chepstow Society on behalf of Jean Hopkins and has been added to the site with her permission. Jean Hopkins fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I was a pupil at Larkfield Secondary School when war was declared on 3rd September, 1939. It made quite a change to our way of life as far as school was concerned, because when the German Bombing started in earnest, lots of children from London and many other large cities, were evacuated to country areas for their safety. Chepstow provided homes for lots of children in this regard, and the pupils from West Ham Secondary School in London 鈥渟hared鈥� Larkfield with us. This meant that we only attended school for half a day, leaving the other half to the evacuees. Needless to say, the pupils didn鈥檛 mind, in spite of the extra home-work that was given to us.

We were all allocated 鈥渟afe鈥� places, where we had to go in the event of an Air Raid Warning Siren, on our way to and from school. Myself and several others, had to seek a cellar in one of the large houses in Mount Pleasant. There we would gather, complete with Gas Masks safely at our sides - and sing songs, and generally fool around until the 鈥淎ll-Clear鈥� siren sounded. It was quite convenient sometimes, not to hear the 鈥淎ll Clear鈥� thereby missing another half an hour or so of school. I don鈥檛 think we realised the seriousness of the situation really.

My mother and father took in a young evacuee, named Margaret, who came from a very poor slum area of Birmingham, and our next door neighbour took in Margaret鈥檚 brother Leonard. Every Sunday the whole family from Birmingham turned up to see them, and to share our rations (which was a problem in itself) but somehow my mother managed. Margaret stayed with us for a few years, and became part of the family, but after she returned to her home, we lost touch.

During the whole duration of the war from 1939 -1945, everyone had to 鈥渂lack-out鈥� their windows with dark curtains - not even a crack of light must show from our houses at night time, in case the enemy planes passing overhead, might be able to navigate their whereabouts. There were no street lamps of any kind. It was a great moment when 鈥渢he lights went on again鈥� when peace was declared.

My father, (not of an age for service in the Forces) was on duty on the 鈥淗ome Front鈥� as it was called. He was a Fire Warden, (complete with Stirrup Pump etc.) in case of fires caused by bombs. His base was Chepstow Railway Station. But Chepstow was lucky - only one bomb fell on the mud on the banks of the River Wye near the Castle, and there was a sad occasion when one of the Apprentice Boys at the Army Training College at Beachley was killed, when a low flying plane attacked the Camp, and machine-gunned the boys who were running for cover.

Chepstow lost many of its local lads who were in the forces however, many of whom had been at school with me - young men with all their lives before them - sadly killed by enemy action.

Prisoners of War were in the camp at Bulwark (where Critchcraft now stands). They were used to arrive at a stop away from the main Railway Station at Chepstow. This was at the end of Caird Street, in Garden City. My young brother and his friends, complete with home made wooden guns - not many toys in the shops at that time - would march behind the poor prisoners, all the way up to Bulwark Camp. I think most of these men were glad that their part of the war was over. We used to go and chat to them (as best we could) through the fences, and if we took some raw materials, and a few cigarettes, they would make us the most lovely slippers, and wooden toys in exchange.

Later on there were German prisoners camped at what is now St Lawrence Hospital - they were mainly officers I believe.

In later years - by now I had left school and was working in the of office of the Newnham Manufacturing Co. (now re-named Dendix Brushes) I decided I would join the Women鈥檚 Army - I made a special trip to Newport to make some enquiries at the Recruitment Office - only to find it closed! When I told my boss - Mr Dixon, what I had in mind, he said he wouldn鈥檛 have released me anyway, as I was working in what was called a 鈥淩eserved Occupation鈥�. The firm was engaged in the manufacture of various patterns for Aircraft parts amongst other things, and we were helping the war effort that way. So that was the beginning and end of my Army career!

Food rationing was introduced in January 1940 and families were issued with books to record their purchases. An adult鈥檚 weekly ration included 4ozs bacon or ham, 陆d (6p today) worth of meat, 2ozs butter, 2ozs cheese, 4ozs margarine, 4ozs cooking fat, 3 pints of milk, 8ozs sugar, 2ozs tea and 1 egg. Shoppers were also allowed 1lb jam or marmalade every two months, 1 packet of dried eggs each month, and 12ozs sweets each month. Bread & potatoes were not rationed. chocolate was a luxury which could only be brought home from abroad by members of the Forces on leave etc. Lord Woolton was in charge of the food effort from April 1940, for the duration of the War. He gave his name to the most famous wartime dish.

Woolton Pie

1lb each of diced potatoes, cauliflower, swedes or turnips, carrots + 3or 4 spring onions, l teaspoon marmite, 1 tablespoon of oatmeal.

Boil, using just enough water to cover. Cool. Put into a pie dish, sprinkle with chopped parsley and cover with a crust of potatoes or pastry. Bake until brown in a moderate oven, and serve with gravy.

This recipe used ingredients, easily grown in the garden.

The Nation was encouraged to 鈥淒ig for Victory鈥� by cultivating any spare land to grow vegetables. Even Golf Courses, parks etc. were sacrificed in the effort to grow our own food.

Clothing during the war was also rationed. From June 1st 1941, only the most basic fabrics - cotton, wool and linen were available in the simplest styles. Price tags in shop windows included the number of coupons required as well. With just 66 coupons a year to spend on clothes, women had to plan their wardrobe needs very carefully. 11 coupons bought a wool dress, and 7 a cotton one. 7 coupons for a skirt, 5 for a blouse or pair of stockings.

When I was married in 1948, I had the luxury of my first pair of nylons, brought from Canada by a friend. I had to save up my clothing coupons for a simple 2 piece suit, and as I didn鈥檛 have enough, I had to buy some coupons on the Black Market, at a rather high price. Yes there were plenty of people ready to make easy money this way, even in those days of utility. ( I don鈥檛 know where they obtained the coupons - I didn鈥檛 ask any questions).

My memories of V.E. Day in Chepstow, are ones of street parties, and much celebrating, by then I was nearly 19, and the daily grind at work went on much the same for me. Doubtless, I must have attended a Victory Dance, but I can鈥檛 remember where!! In common with all British people, Chepstow Citizens, adapted to life in Wartime as best they could, with everyone 鈥減ulling together鈥� and making for a very friendly community.

Army

Prisoners of War were in the camp at Bulwark (where Critchcraft now stands). They were used to arrive at a stop away from the main Railway Station at Chepstow. This was at the end of Caird Street, in Garden City. My young brother and his friends, complete with home made wooden guns - not many toys in the shops at that time - would march behind the poor prisoners, all the way up to Bulwark Camp. I think most of these men were glad that their part of the war was over. We used to go and chat to them (as best we could) through the fences, and if we took some raw materials, and a few cigarettes, they would make us the most lovely slippers, and wooden toys in exchange.

Later on there were German prisoners camped at what is now St Lawrence Hospital - they were mainly officers I believe.

Home Life

My mother and father took in a young evacuee, named Margaret, who came from a very poor slum area of Birmingham, and our next door neighbour took in Margaret鈥檚 brother Leonard. Every Sunday the whole family from Birmingham turned up to see them, and to share our rations (which was a problem in itself) but somehow my mother managed. Margaret stayed with us for a few years, and became part of the family, but after she returned to her home, we lost touch.

During the whole duration of the war from 1939 -1945, everyone had to 鈥渂lack-out鈥� their windows with dark curtains - not even a crack of light must show from our houses at night time, in case the enemy planes passing overhead, might be able to navigate their whereabouts. There were no street lamps of any kind. It was a great moment when 鈥渢he lights went on again鈥� when peace was declared.

Food rationing was introduced in January 1940 and families were issued with books to record their purchases. An adult鈥檚 weekly ration included 4ozs bacon or ham, 陆d (6p today) worth of meat, 2ozs butter, 2ozs cheese, 4ozs margarine, 4ozs cooking fat, 3 pints of milk, 8ozs sugar, 2ozs tea and 1 egg. Shoppers were also allowed 1lb jam or marmalade every two months, 1 packet of dried eggs each month, and 12ozs sweets each month. Bread & potatoes were not rationed. chocolate was a luxury which could only be brought home from abroad by members of the Forces on leave etc. Lord Woolton was in charge of the food effort from April 1940, for the duration of the War. He gave his name to the most famous wartime dish.

Woolton Pie

1lb each of diced potatoes, cauliflower, swedes or turnips, carrots + 3or 4 spring onions, l teaspoon marmite, 1 tablespoon of oatmeal.

Boil, using just enough water to cover. Cool. Put into a pie dish, sprinkle with chopped parsley and cover with a crust of potatoes or pastry. Bake until brown in a moderate oven, and serve with gravy.

This recipe used ingredients, easily grown in the garden.

Home Life

Clothing during the war was also rationed. From June 1st 1941, only the most basic fabrics - cotton, wool and linen were available in the simplest styles. Price tags in shop windows included the number of coupons required as well. With just 66 coupons a year to spend on clothes, women had to plan their wardrobe needs very carefully. 11 coupons bought a wool dress, and 7 a cotton one. 7 coupons for a skirt, 5 for a blouse or pair of stockings. When I was married in 1948, I had the luxury of my first pair of nylons, brought from Canada by a friend. I had to save up my clothing coupons for a simple 2 piece suit, and as I didn鈥檛 have enough, I had to buy some coupons on the Black Market, at a rather high price. Yes there were plenty of people ready to make easy money this way, even in those days of utility. ( I don鈥檛 know where they obtained the coupons - I didn鈥檛 ask any questions).

The Town

My memories of V.E. Day in Chepstow, are ones of street parties, and much celebrating, by then I was nearly 19, and the daily grind at work went on much the same for me. Doubtless, I must have attended a Victory Dance, but I can鈥檛 remember where!! In common with all British people, Chepstow Citizens, adapted to life in Wartime as best they could, with everyone 鈥減ulling together鈥� and making for a very friendly community.

Schools

I was a pupil at Larkfield Secondary School when war was declared on 3rd September, 1939. It made quite a change to our way of life as far as school was concerned, because when the German Bombing started in earnest, lots of children from London and many other large cities, were evacuated to country areas for their safety. Chepstow provided homes for lots of children in this regard, and the pupils from West Ham Secondary School in London 鈥渟hared鈥� Larkfield with us. This meant that we only attended school for half a day, leaving the other half to the evacuees. Needless to say, the pupils didn鈥檛 mind, in spite of the extra home-work that was given to us.

We were all allocated 鈥渟afe鈥� places, where we had to go in the event of an Air Raid Warning Siren, on our way to and from school. Myself and several others, had to seek a cellar in one of the large houses in Mount Pleasant. There we would gather, complete with Gas Masks safely at our sides - and sing songs, and generally fool around until the 鈥淎ll-Clear鈥� siren sounded. It was quite convenient sometimes, not to hear the 鈥淎ll Clear鈥� thereby missing another half an hour or so of school. I don鈥檛 think we realised the seriousness of the situation really.

Voluntary Organisations

My father, (not of an age for service in the Forces) was on duty on the 鈥淗ome Front鈥� as it was called. He was a Fire Warden, (complete with Stirrup Pump etc.) in case of fires caused by bombs. His base was Chepstow Railway Station. But Chepstow was lucky - only one bomb fell on the mud on the banks of the River Wye near the Castle, and there was a sad occasion when one of the Apprentice Boys at the Army Training College at Beachley was killed, when a low flying plane attacked the Camp, and machine-gunned the boys who were running for cover.

Work in Wartime

In later years - by now I had left school and was working in the of office of the Newnham Manufacturing Co. (now re-named Dendix Brushes) I decided I would join the Women鈥檚 Army - I made a special trip to Newport to make some enquiries at the Recruitment Office - only to find it closed! When I told my boss - Mr Dixon, what I had in mind, he said he wouldn鈥檛 have released me anyway, as I was working in what was called a 鈥淩eserved Occupation鈥�. The firm was engaged in the manufacture of various patterns for Aircraft parts amongst other things, and we were helping the war effort that way. So that was the beginning and end of my Army career!

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