大象传媒

This story was submitted to the peoples war site by Akua Asamoah-Twum of Burntwood school on behalf of Siver Circle Reading Group Wandsworth Library.

During WW2 Eleanor lived in Freshford street in Earlsfield. She was 23 when the war began. Only children, not adults, where she lived were evacated to the countryside. Some chidren enjoyed their stay in the countrtyside,they decided to stay permanetly which was a unfortunate decision for their parents,who were in London.

Life in London during the war went on as normal until there were air raids. A warning alerted people if a bomb was about to land. A siren gave the all clear to be able to go home. Most people chose to live in shelters. Eleanor went in to the nearest shelter when the warning was given,however her father prefrred to stay at home, risking being bombed. Eleanor didn't believe she would live to see the end of the war. During the war coupons were distrubted to be used in order to purchase food. Although if you went to a restaurant you didn't have to use coupons ,you had to pay using money. Bigger shops had reminance which was a piece of cloth which customers didn't have to pay for using their coupons. Eleanor wore thick clothes to keep her warm. The war made people friendlier,outgoing and less violent.Also it was common for strangers to talk to you. Everyone got a lift if they were waiting at a bus stop and you wouldn't hesitate to get into a strangers cars. Firms moved out of London but hers didn't because she worked for a bank. Some firms got coaches to pick you up form a certain point,to take you to work.
The only thing Eleanor recalled about living in London was,there were no doors to get into a homemade shelter so people made thick curtains to keep cold air out. She remembered her neighbour's curtain got set on fire but fortunately they managed to put the fire out.
After the war women wore trousers and head scarfs. Before the war you would have been considered a tart if you wore trousers. Men didn't like women wearing trousers, however the war liberated women.

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