大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War by Judith Harridge on behalf of Pam Button. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
My family came up from the Isle of Wight when I was three- my parents were afraid that Portsmouth might be badly bombed. We went originally to Coventry, and had been hoping that my aunt might have taken us in (she lived in Market Square, Warwick, and ran a drapery business there). Eventually my family (Father, Mother, myself and younger brother) managed to fine lodgings at 62, Charlotte Street, Leamington- we shared one room at the top of the house, and there was a small kitchen on the landing which we shared with a Mr Pratt. After my sister was born at Warwick Hospital in 1940 there were 5 of us sleeping and living in the one room. My father went off to fight and my mother was left to bring us up on her own- my mother worked at Flavels, and went to a Children's Nursery opposite the top of Charlotte Street, in Tachbrook Road. I went to Clapham Terrace School, and i remember walking to school over the Rec (Eagle Recreation Ground) and going over the ladder bridge which went across the canal, near Flavels. One day a child shouted that my Dad was home from the war. I went home to find a man sitting in a chair with a kitbag beside him, and I did not know him, having not seen him for about 3 or 4 years!
I remember the VE day party in Charlotte Street, and I also recall going to the British Restuarant for lunch

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