- Contributed by听
- Congleton_Library
- People in story:听
- Eileen Skerratt, Frank Skerratt, Mr. John Machin, Mr. John Lancaster, Mr. Steve Baker
- Location of story:听
- Congleton, Cheshire
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A3396422
- Contributed on:听
- 11 December 2004
This story was submitted to the People's War site by J. Hopkins of Congleton Museum on behalf of Mrs. Eileen Skerratt and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
At the outbreak of war, Eileen was 16 or 17 years old and was employed at Boyce Adams in Bridge Street, nearly opposite Victoria Street. She served behind the counter. Rationing was in place and they had to stick to the rules. The shop received rations only for registered people, and there were penalties for transgression. Mr. John Machin was in charge, and she also worked with Mr. John Lancaster and Mr. Steve Baker.
At 18 years old, she was eligible for national service but was excused because of her mother's ill health and because she had two brothers in the RAF. They lived on Congleton Edge near Nick O'th Hill and Eileen had to walk 3 miles each way on blacked out roads.
Eileen and Frank courted for 3 years because of lack of money. They were married in January of 1950, and got a rented house on Kinsey Street. In 1952 they bought a house for 拢400 in Worrall Street (that didn't have a bathroom!).
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