大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Elizabeth Perez of Stockport Libraries on behalf of Ann Birch and has been added to the site with her permission. She fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

Born in 1937, my earliest memory is of the Anderson Shelter in our back garden. I can still recall the earthy smell. Although young, I was entrusted with carrying the storm lantern. I have a photograph of me in my siren suit carrying the lantern. We lived in Heaviley, Stockport at the time.

I remember my Uncle coming to see us when he was on leave from the navy. His ship had been torpedoed in the Pacific, so he was probably on sick leave. He seemed so tall to me and I was overawed by this man in uniform. He took my Mum to the Davenport Cinema to see "Gone with the Wind". It had only just been released.

My Dad was medically unfit for active service, so as he worked in Manchester City Centre he was on fire-watch on the roof of the warehouse where he worked. My mum used to worry about him going down to Manchester. He looked quite distinguished in his Home Guard uniform. Mind you he did do his bit by turning over 2/3rds of our garden to growing vegetables!

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