大象传媒

Explore the 大象传媒
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

大象传媒 Homepage
大象传媒 History
WW2 People's War Homepage Archive List Timeline About This Site

Contact Us

Bombed shop and VE day memories

by A7431347

You are browsing in:

Archive List > Family Life

Contributed by听
A7431347
People in story:听
Herbert (Bert) and Jessie Whiffin
Location of story:听
Dulwich, South East London
Background to story:听
Civilian
Article ID:听
A4397114
Contributed on:听
08 July 2005

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Simon Gulliford from St George's School Broadstairs and has been added on behalf of Mr Herbert Whiffin with his permission who understands the conditions about his contribution

Herbert (also known as Bert) Whiffin was born in 1930 and during the blitz had to get his shoes repaired. For this he required some leather which he was to purchase from Beardsmore's, which he believes was on or near the Lordship Lane. As with everything there was a long queue and whilst in the queue the air raid sirens went off. Bert waited 5 minute before leaving the shop without the leather and ran off home. On the way home the shop was bombed and Bert realised that had he stayed he would have been killed along with those who stayed. That day had other implications. Going forward to the end of the war, Bert went to a VE day party in his road. It was there that he met a Girl he had never met before. Her name was Jessie Mitchell. Bert spent all evening with this Girl and found out that she too had been near Beardsmore's at the same time, and she too had escaped death. Bert joined the navy after VE day and later was called to do his National Service. He could not stop thinking about Jessie. His grandmother wrote letters to Bert when he was away telling him that Jessie was asking after him too. Jessie鈥檚 mother was not well and wanted her daughter to go out with Bert. Eventually in 1952 Bert returned and married Jessie. As Bert said, 鈥渟he was born for me鈥. The war touched the lives of this couple, it brought them together and forged a long and loving marriage. Bert and Jessie were married for 52 years, the year of their marriage also being 1952. Sadly, Jessie passed away on January 6, 2005, after a long illness where Bert continued to be devoted to the girl who was 鈥渂orn for him鈥 and Bert is waiting for the time they will be reunited.
鈥淭hey will meet again鈥 and the sun will shine.

Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.

Forum Archive

This forum is now closed

These messages were added to this story by site members between June 2003 and January 2006. It is no longer possible to leave messages here. Find out more about the site contributors.

Message 1 - bert whiffen

Posted on: 01 December 2005 by pam fray

I wonder if bert whiffen was one of the whiffen family that lived round the corner from us. The Fray family lived in Hindmans Road and Ferris Road. I would be interested to know if it is the same family. I have written about my experiences. Pam Fray

Archive List

This story has been placed in the following categories.

Family Life Category
icon for Story with photoStory with photo

Most of the content on this site is created by our users, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the 大象传媒. The 大象传媒 is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here. For any other comments, please Contact Us.



About the 大象传媒 | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy