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‘ This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Dorothy Donn of Renfrewshire Libraries on behalf of Mrs Joyce Allwright and has been added to the site with his/her permission. The author fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.’

Street Party — The whole street closed and there was so much food for the street party. We all had a good time — great fun. One neighbour dragged out a piano and played it, unfortunately he got rather merry and sang First World War songs which were rather risqué, much to the embarrassment of his wife!

My mother queued for several hours to get me and my sister some bananas, never having this type of fruit during the war, I sat in the garden and ate the banana, skin as well, then came indoors and asked for an apple, saying I preferred this to the banana. Much amusement from the family over this!

I was sad that right near the end of the war I lost school friends and their families when the V1 and V2’s hit London- so sad.

I could not understand why my mother and aunt were crying while reading the paper. I found out years later about the concentration camps.

I was so happy that we did not have to stay in shelters anymore, bliss to be able to play out everyday and not fear anymore air-raids.

I was sad that some of my family did not return after the war, but happy that most did.

I hope that we never have such devastation again, and people must try to get on with each other and try for a peaceful world.

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