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Bridget’s Mother and Father were separated. Bridget lived with her mother and older sister. If they were 21 or over they had to choose between the Forces or an ammunition factory. Bridget chose the Munitions, she did want to go in the Land Army but her mother didn’t want her to go, so she stayed at home. She went to work in Runcorn making bombs. The shifts were 6 till 2, 2 till 10, and 10 till 6.
Bridget says there was a real fear of gas bombs.

When they heard the siren, they had to leave everything and go to the shelter, which was overcrowded and sometimes they would not come out till morning, then they would have to go on to work. There was a shelter in every 2 streets.

Women had various jobs, as drivers, on the trams, to delivering milk. Clothes coupons only lasted 12 months. It was a sad time; people were losing family, friends, and neighbours everywhere. Bridget thought it was awful when she compares it with living in peace today.

At the end of the war, everyone went into town to celebrate, but for a long time after, when they heard a plane the fear would come back. No one could believe it was all over.

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Merseyside’s People’s War team on behalf of the author and has been added to the site with his/ her permission. The author fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.’

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