大象传媒

When I was 10 and 11 years old I organised the neighbourhood children to band together and create concerts. We performed for our parents and neighbours in the back garden of Mr and Mrs Vincent at 3 Neville Road. A collection was taken at the end of the performances. The money raised I sent to the Overseas League who provided comfort and support for servicemen. At age 12, a princely sum of 8 /- was raised from a concert and raffle. This was donated to the War Charities Fund housed at 6, Tombland, Norwich, for the Red Cross and St John Ambulance Brigade. These receipts / certificates were saved by my mother, Harriet.

I also received a postcard of thanks from D.C. Price from an HMS stationed in Anglesey. It has a photo of Squadron Leader Douglas Bader DSO, DFC. After escaping twice from the Germans, they took away his artificial legs at night. An inspirational person.

Blackout: Dad made wooden frames to fit inside all the windows. Black fabric was thumb tacked to the frames. Wardens walked round to check no light could be seen. We were told that a cigarette glow could be seen for three miles.

I went door to door collecting left over wool in Neville Close and Road, School Lane, and Justing Close. Mum and I knitted squares which mum sewed together to make blankets for servicemen.

I remember queuing at Bull Close School to be fitted and supplied with gas masks. Children cried as they were fitted. The smell of them and the nose flapper scared them when they exhaled.

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