大象传媒

My name is Elsie Skeldon and im from Oldham!
I was on holiday when we were told that we haD to come back because of the situation. All the lights were turned off everything was very dark as we made our way to the train station.
We travelled in complete darkness on the boat and then by train from Liverpool to Manchester.
This was Saturday, my eldest brother was waiting at the station telling me i had to report to the Red Cross (as i was a member).So early on Sunday morning when war was declared (listening to it on the radio at the Red Cross office at Mumps Bridge in Oldham) i felt very upset and anxious about the future.
My day to day work had been in the offices at a local textile/engineering works called Platt Brothers,due to the call up of all the boys aged 19 were conscripted my work changed and i was transferred to the laboratory were i worked until 1948.
During the years of WW2 rationing paid a huge part in our lives, everything was always dark but the greatest feeling was dread as i along with many others had family members fighting abroad.
My brother volunteered to go to war, and was posted to Iceland between 39 - 1945. My brother in law was in the merchant navy and travelled accross the seas. He was torpedoed during the war but thankfully survived. A cousin of mine was in the guards but sadly he was killed.
For my part, i worked in the office from 9-5pm, having half an hours break and then went into the works to pack smoke bombs.Actually i was quite well paid for packing smoke bombs and this money i saved and it eventually paid for my wedding!
Friendship amongst the girls in the works very evident and after we had worked till teatime we had to go onto Fire Watch between sat - sunday morning till 12 noon. We worked with ARP men on the top of buildings and we learned how to carry men on a stretcher. During this time we kept a record of every air raid over Oldham. I still have this book today and it is treasured possession.(Even if today the writing is so small i struggle to read it!) My memories of WW2 are still very clear especially the one when i saw the Doddle Bug that came over Oldham at Christmas Time which dropped its bombs on Abbeyhills Road and killed many people from the same family who had come together to celebrate a wedding.
These are my memories thankyou for reading!

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