大象传媒

Our household comprised of my police officer father, my mother, myself, brother Ken and little sister Monica. We also had three evacuees from Lancashire who were quickly incorporated into our close knit and secure family.

The position of a police officer鈥檚 wife resulted in Mother having to act as an unpaid employee in the police force. She needed to be fully acquainted with the clerical aspect and office duties in police activities, which in those days governed the control and management of live stock by farmers, pig dealers and others, all details recorded, documents filled in, permits issued where appropriate, receiving and conveying of police messages, all sent with speed and clarity to the appropriate person at a given location.
It was an ongoing job and on a daily basis it was taxing and time consuming, for any person, let alone a wife and mother to six children.

Mother鈥檚 ability to manage and control situations had been noted for she was selected as organiser of the local Red Cross and WVS. She was assured of the able support and encouragement of all the local ladies in the village as well as the wider community in the rural area.

Because of Mother鈥檚 increased war load there was much alteration, in routine to home life, and also within our home.
One room changed in particular. It had been a lovely spacious room where I used to sit to practice my piano lessons and on hot days would sit and read, or watch the net curtains lift and fall in the breeze revealing the sight and perfume of flowers. Suddenly this oasis of peace and beauty was transformed into a store room for the Red Cross and WVS equipment.
Supplies stacked against the wall; completed knitting of socks, mittens, balaclava helmets, rolled bandages, special invalid garments were in huge containers in the centre of the floor. Gas masks, police equipment and sealed boxes did nothing to enhance the environment.
Outside vegetable plots replaced flower beds and at the end of the drive a large Union Jack had been erected and was visible to all users of the main road and the police station.

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