大象传媒

On September 3rd 1939, all the family gathered around the wireless to listen to Mr. Chamberlain talk to the nation and tell us that Great Britain was at war with Germany.

I was 12 when the war broke out and attending school in Wigan. Through the lack of air raid shelters the school was closed until the following January and then we only attended school for half a day for the next 12 months before more shelter accommodation was provided.

I had to live in a world of rationing, everything was rationed: meat, bread, tea, sugar, butter, coal, clothes and just about everything was rationed, especially sweets. It was hard because we only got enough to fill us up for 2 hours. I hated this stage especially with the bombs falling down at the same time.

Everything was changing; I even had to carry around a gas mask everywhere. We weren't allowed to go anywere without them. Sooner or later they decided that no gas bombs were used, so we were able leave them. They were very annoying to carry around.

When I was 17 I decided to do my part, I joined the navy. I became a mine specialist. I swept them and stopped them exploding during and after the war. In Ireland when the war had ended, America wanted to start tourism up to Ireland again. But the seas and beaches were full of mines. When they asked for the army to help they said no because Ireland didn鈥檛 help them when they were in need. So I volunteered. I had to work with the mines that had spikes on top. They were difficult to clear. If they were touched by the spikes they would sense the shock waves and act on them immediatly. This wasnt one of the highlights of my life.

Now I am happy that there is nothing like what I experienced today. I am proud to live in a peaceful place; I wish it could stay like this forever but with everything that is happening I dont think this peace will last much longer.

This story was submitted to the peoples war website by Michael Miller of Wigan-over-fifties on behalf of Joseph Lawton and has been added to his site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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