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This story was submitted to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ People’s War site by ^{About links} on behalf of Jean Stovold and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

At the time bombing in London was becoming incessant. We used Earls Court Underground Station as an air-raid shelter. Often we would go to the underground station in the evening to get a good position, i.e. a bunk in the station. We would take flasks and food. It was necessary to take blankets because the warm draught which came with the approach of each train carried a lot of dust which made the platform very dusty. Sleep was always intermittent when on the platform and there were always people chattering and playing cards.

When ever the siren went the air-raid wardens and police would always encourage you to go to a shelter. I remember after one night on the platform emerging to the ‘All clear’ to find the area near where I lived on Redcliffe Gardens to be completely flattened. There was dust and rubble everywhere. What amazed me was the wide open space where the houses had once been. The area looked enormous. Areas were taped off and the police and air-raid wardens advised you on the route back to your house. How worried I felt at the time, wondering if my house would still be standing. What a relief it was to find my home still in one piece.

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