大象传媒

My war years were spent in two semi-rural towns in the South West of England.
I left the local grammar school in July 1939, just before the outbreak of war.

I started work in a small office next to the railway station that has now gone. While there, it was heartbreaking to see the evacuee children arriving with placards around their necks, giving details of name, age, etc. coming to a strange new life away from home, not knowing what it was all about and what the future held for them.

I was also there to see the troops arriving back from Dunkirk - exhausted and dejected - I remember them toiling up the hill from the station to the town.

I then started work in the local Post Office. The previous staff had always been men but as they left for the forces I was the first girl to take over from them, causing a lot of interest from the customers!

It was a very hectic time, long hours and a lot of responsibility. Troops arriving sending telegrams home to loved ones, saying that that they were safe and well, but many had no idea where they were! (Incidentally- telegrams were 9 words a shilling including the address). Long queues extended out of the Office to the street outside. Pensions, telegrams, savings books, war bonds, licences etc, all contributed to a very hectic life of course. I experienced rationing, blackouts etc., but I must say that we did not know of any vandalism and we were able to leave our homes unlocked. We were not afraid to walk home at night - I often came home with safe keys from the Post Office in my pocket! Unheard of now.

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