大象传媒

Explore the 大象传媒
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

大象传媒 Homepage
大象传媒 History
WW2 People's War Homepage Archive List Timeline About This Site

Contact Us

A Child's Experiences

by WMCSVActionDesk

Contributed by听
WMCSVActionDesk
People in story:听
Audrey Witherford (nee Moore)
Location of story:听
Redditch, Worcestershire
Background to story:听
Civilian
Article ID:听
A4081303
Contributed on:听
17 May 2005

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Maggie Smith from WM CSV Action Desk on behalf of Audrey Witherford and has been added to the site with her permission. Audrey Witherford fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I was 9 years old when the war broke out and didn't really understand the implications. The first thing to learn was that in the event of an air raid, a man called an Air Raid Warden would run up the raod blowing a whistle which was a signal that I had to jump out of bed , quickley put on a siren suit (an all in one suit with a zip and hood) and grab a torch. I would then go downstairs and (with my family) would go across the road into a shelter. Our shelter was a hole dug into the ground by my father and other neighbours. The walls were lined with lino and we had bunk beds to sleep on. We didn't get much sleep though because the adults were playing cards and making lots of noise.

In 1940 (when I was 10 years old) my baby sister was born. In those days, new mothers stayed in bed for 10 days after having a baby. My father said that if there was an air raid we couldn't leave my mother so we would all stay put - he said, "...if we are going to die, we will all die together". I was very scared and prayed that there wouldn't be an air raid.

As a new baby couldn't wear a gas mask, a special one was designed. It was like a large bag, sealed up and a concertina like pump with a handle. When the baby was inside, someone had to pump the handle in and out in order for the baby to breathe. This looked terrible to a 10 year old and I was very worried that my baby sister would have to go inside this contraption. I had a nightmare that whoever was pumping would get tired and have to stop!

My father didn't have to join up because he had an important job - his firm made batteries which were used in ships and planes. He did however join the work's Fire Brigade and looked very smart in his uniform. My friends were well impressed.

We had farms nearby and so we were able to get eggs and occasionally a chicken or a rabbit to make a meal. We grew all our own vegetables - my father had to dig up all his flower beds. It was called 'Digging for Victory'. As Evesham was not far we used to cycle there to buy plums and apples and also went strwberry picking. But we had no cakes and very few sweets. My sister didn't see a banana until she was five years old.

We didn't have any fancy clothes. All I remember is having to wear things made out of old material and hand knitted cardigans. I don't remember having any toys but my sister did have a push-along bike made by a local carpenter and I had some hand-made doll's house furniture. I did have a bike though and my friends and I used to ride round the local lanes - even at a young age we were allowed to do this.

I was 15 when the war ended and at 16, started work. I feel as though I didn't have much fun in my early teens compared with today's children but at least I had a loving family, was well-fed and didn't feel deprived. In fact, I think it taught us quite a lot.

Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.

Archive List

This story has been placed in the following categories.

Childhood and Evacuation Category
Worcestershire Category
icon for Story with photoStory with photo

Most of the content on this site is created by our users, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the 大象传媒. The 大象传媒 is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here. For any other comments, please Contact Us.



About the 大象传媒 | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy