大象传媒

Memories from my Mother - now 93!

Outbreak of war:
Shortly after war was announced in September 1939, i.e. the same day, the air raid sirens went off and Mum remembers she was in bed with tonsillitis at her sister Gert's house in north London. She had to get out of bed and go next door where they had a shelter. Apparently it was a false alarm but it sent everyone into a panic. They ended up locking themselves out of the house and George, Mum's brother-in-law had to climb back in through the window.

Trip to cinema - possibly 1943:
Frank (my brother)was baby and Dad stayed home to look after him. He said to Mum why don't you go to the pictures. She can't remember what the film was! Anyway the sirens went off and she ran all the way home, stopping to shelter when some people called out to her and another lady who had run out of the cinema to come in and take cover. She got home OK but I think Dad must have been very worried.

Wasted Rations:
One day she was washing up and there was an air raid nearby. Suddenly she heard the whistle of a bomb and was so startled she dropped her whole packet of soap flakes in the bowl in her hurry. She came back to discover the whole lot it floating in the water.

Queuing for fish:
Mum was queuing with Frank in his pram, who was crying. The shop owner came out and gruffly said, 'Who's is that with the screaming baby? Come up to the front and I'll serve you first! So off to the front of the queue she went!

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