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I worked at Simmingtons making parachutes sticking the bags onto the parachute.

The Coventry firm was bombed out so they came under Simmingtons so I had to go and start making screws.

I was with a friend at the bridge and it lifted up during the Coventry bombs.

The 82nd Airborne Division was stationed in Harborough.
They used to organise dances at the Assembly rooms and we'd go dancing.

Clarke Gable came out of the officers mess one day — I'd always loved him.
I saw him another time too.

In 1945 I was married to Frank at the Market Harborough Parish church.
My mother and I were dress makers.
I wanted red velvet for my bridesmaids dresses but couldn't get any.
Leah Marks in Leicester had got a coffee coloured two piece for my mother. We went back and got a turquoise dress and coat.
I made my underwear from parachutes.
My cousin and husbands sister were my bridesmaids and they wore blue dresses.

My father George Rayworth was a fire warden.
He played football for Harborough and was well known.

This story was submitted to the People's War Website by Lisa Reeves of CSV Action Desk Leicester on behalf of Margaret Monk and has been added with her permission.
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