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This story was submitted to the People's War site by Lin Freeman of Radio Derby CSV on behalf of Mrs Hetty Harris and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

My grandfather Epaphroditus Crooks was a joiner and wheelwright in Holbrook. At the entrance to his yard there was a high bank.

When war broke out and people were preparing for possible air raids he and two of his sons dug into this bank to create a shelter. They re-enforced it and lined it with wood. Around the sides they fitted wooden seats.

When the sirens sounded, all the family, plus neighbours, crowded in; sometimes 15 — 20 people. It was very cold in there, most people snatched up a warm coat or blanket as they left the house.

It was crowded with so many huddled together, but with a dim light from a small lantern, lots of chatter and singing, the time soon passed.

For a short time after the war, the shelter was used as a store before being boarded up.

We had transparent film to stick on house windows to stop the glass shattering if there was a blast. Some of this film had coloured designs on which gave a stained-glass effect, ours had red and blue squares on.

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