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Wartime Reminiscences of the McKinnon twins

Air raid shelter was very cold and damp — we were all very crushed — sound of bombs exploding and whirring of the planes frightening. Windows out — lots of surrounding places demolished — whole area in state of chaos.
Air Raid Warden should have been there to help but they had taken cold feet and gone for safety further down the coast.

Stayed first night in church hall in Paisley — most uncomfortable. Planes were overhead — not regarded safe there. A few days later evacuated with my mother, two older sisters and my twin to Broadford in Skye. Not a very happy time there as we were made to feel as evacuees and we were not made welcome there.

School life disrupted — at beginning of war Highlanders Academy was taken over as a hostel for men. We had to go t the Ardgowan School nearby and attended only half days as classes were too full.

Ration books 5-16 blue Food scarce — butter, sugar, ham, eggs, milk, fruit — all in short supply. Oranges, bananas tomatoes when they came to shops — large queues, given perhaps ½ lb or 3 oranges as food was so precious and only limited quantities. Sweets rare — one must have had coupons for them.

Adults — white ration book.
5-16 years — blue
0-5 years — green

Blue and green ration books given more points. Green book — cod liver oil, dried milk, orange concentrated. Everyone issued juice in bottles. Everyone issued with a gas mask and identity cards worn round wrist
Sweets — coupons only
Fruit — In short supply
Long queues for perhaps ½ lb tomatoes (oranges, bananas) Quantity rationed out — only for friends or for dad

Coal and firewood very scarce
People who grew own vegetables very lucky — margarine was used mostly as well as dried eggs
Clothes rationed — no stockings to buy — people often borrowed each others clothes

Town full of men in uniform — world-wide — USA, Australia, New Zealand, and people who had escaped from the Continent. People asked to take on boarders. The River Clyde full of battleships and submarines. Everyone working overtime for the ‘War Effort’.
Lots of wartime marriages —

Also barrage balloons in the air and places lit by search lights. All young men 18 or above called up for military service

Many young men killed — many broken hearts around.

One sister met a French man from Reunion Island through school pen friends. Almost a family marriage.

Lots of black-marketeering
Sheep grazing at the High School
People times running from school and home to see if possible to reach own raid shelter

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