- Contributed by听
- Lancshomeguard
- People in story:听
- George Bodden , wife Jean Bodden and her mother.
- Location of story:听
- : Greenfield near Oldham, Lancs
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A4606120
- Contributed on:听
- 29 July 2005
This story has been submitted to the People鈥檚 War website by Peter Quinn of the Lancs. Home Guard on behalf of Michael Bodden (son) and has been added to the site with Mr Bodden鈥檚 permission
About 1943, my father and mother, George and Jean Bodden, were publicans at The Duke of Wellington, Greenfield. The rumour went around that German paratroopers had landed on Saddleworth Moor. My mother and grandmother made enough provisions for several weeks living rough on the Moor and Dad, who was in the Home Guard, prepared to set off to find them.
He was a shooting man himself and before leaving, loaded two shotguns; the second of which he handed to my mum saying, 鈥淚f the Germans appear before I get back, the first barrel鈥檚 for your mother and the second one is for you!鈥 My mother鈥檚 reply was the she had different plans for their survival which DIDN鈥橳 include shooting Gran!
Dad was back a few hours later, pretty fed up and tired 鈥 the 鈥減arachutists 鈥 having been identified as a rogue barrage balloon!
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo