- Contributed by听
- jayteagreen
- People in story:听
- John Green
- Location of story:听
- Kings Heath,Birminghm
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A4098611
- Contributed on:听
- 21 May 2005
With our house being the biggest and also in one of the safest areas of Birmingham,it became the venue for most of the going away and later the coming home partiesduring the war years amongst the members of our family clan.
I remember lots of Saturday nights being full of great fun with much dancing,singing and laughing,with a few fears.Everyone was expected to chip in with the beer and sandwiches and they always did.
Quite often, many of the revellers stayed till morning, sleeping in chairs or on the floor,covered over by heavy greatcoats from whatever wing of the armed forces they happened to belong to. Some of them brought girl friends-land-girls,or ATS - mostly with funny accentsbut nice,with their bright red lips and smart uniforms.
My dad putting down his accordion for the last time and doing up the strapsacross the bellows was a cue for us kids to head for bed.It was a large double and we all slept in it top and bottom-sardine fashion.
Lots of people passed through that houseduring the war years."I'll be seeing you" and "We'll Meet Again echoed through my mind just before I dropped off to sleep
Sunday Tomorrow(written in 1941)
Sunday without bells or bacon smells,
No football in the Park.
Off to church when conscience calls
And back home in the dark.
No Sunday joint or Sunday pint
But newspapers very thin.
What are the Germans up to?
Do you think we'll ever win?
Sure enough,victory did come - not all at once but in pieces.Triumph in Paris with flowers and pretty girls; De Gaulle,the free French Army and the partisans were all united for the moment of victory.
VE Day soon arrived. Victory in Europe.Street parties were organised and we all went to the one held in partons Road,Kings heath.This was during the day and was mainly children.But on the night,we went to another party thrown open for anyone and anybody.Highbury road was the venue and was complete with a large bonfire,music,dancing,drinking and general merriment.
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