大象传媒

I was born in 1923, so was 16 years old when the war started.
I worked in the Co-op and lived in Coalville.
I remember rationing very well.
4oz of butter per week, one pint of milk a day and this was for myself, my younger sister and my mum because my dad had died in a mining accident.
I remember the allotments and 'digging for victory' - I did some of the digging.
I remember there was only gas lighting in the house and we cooked with coal.
We ate corned beef.
As far as I was concerned there were still happy times.
I met my future wife at the Co-op.
I remember going to dances at the YMCA at Market Street quite often in the week and Saturdays as well.
I went to the pictures twice a week at the Grand, the Regal or the Rex.
Later I joined the REME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - a branch of the army)

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Dave Bielby of CSV Action Desk Leicester on behalf of Roy Bryan and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

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