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This is a story I would like to tell you about myself and my family during World War II. My name is Shirley. I was about seven years old at the time, I think the year was about 1942.

My parents, Albert and Dorothy Trott moved to the country from London just before the War. They already had two children Joan and Albert they moved to Ropley in Hampshire and had myself and brother Alan. I remember parts of the war that followed, how we would all fun outside when we heard the air raid siren. We saw the searchlights which I think were based at Southampton, and the German planes were within the searchlights, we thought it very exciting being children.

There were a few bombs dropped near us, and my elder brother found a German plan in a field, the pilot was dead inside badly burnt.

We lived in a bungalow with no heating, no indoor water and no electricity.
We drew out water from a well, and had oil lamps for light.

My mother worked hard washing by hand etc. She would cook for us on the kitchen stove and used to cook lovely things including apple pies and bread pudding etc. we never went hungry.

My Dad was working in London on bomb damage and didn’t get home much. When he did, he would do Home Guard work.

My sister was a land girl and my elder brother would make toys etc. and sell them at Xmas.

The happy times I remember was my sister Joan who was a talented musician. She used to entertain American Troops in the two pubs called β€œThe Ship Inn” and β€œThe Plough” which are still there to this day in Bishops Sutton Nr. Alresford Hants.

They used to love her and would flock to the pubs to see her play her accordion and she would often bring them home in the big American truck and they would have a party and play their guitars.

So you see there were a few happy times I remember and will never forget!!!

I am very lucky to be able to write this story as a bomb did drop near our house but only cracked the windows! But left a hole in the ground!

This story was entered on The People's War Website by Sue Castro on behalf of Shirley Trott, who fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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