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I remember during the war — the blackout — no street lamps, all the traffic with only small lights, and all the bus windows were painted a bluish colour, and you were unable to see out, and to rely on a bus conductor to call out the name of the stops.

Also, if you were out after dark, no lights — you would suddenly see a figure coming towards you, and eventually you could make out a white tin hat and you knew you were safe. It was the ARP Warden on patrol (Air Raid Precautions).

Sometimes after the sirens had sounded (which was terrifying) you could hear the aeroplanes and see the search lights in the sky. Also I would be walking home from nightschool (Hiltons Commercial College, Union Street) at 9pm and shrapnel would be falling around you.

I say walking home, I used to run as sometimes there were no buses. Then I would shelter in various places to get my breath back — it was really frightening. I knew from a friend that people who lived in Birkenhead used to hold dustbin lids over their heads to protect them from falling shrapnel.

I also remember the wonderful whist drive and dances that were held at the Fire Station on Ashcroft Street around the 1950s. My husband was a fireman. As we wee dancing, sometime the bells would go — which meant there was a CALL OUT to a fire. Everyone just stood completely still and the firemen were on duty dashed out get the fire engine. We used to look through the window and watch the engine turn out with all the bells ringing. Then the dance would continue. Sometimes the firemen would return when the dance was finished - sometimes not.

Another memory of the war is of prisoners who were held at the Glen Mill. They used to wander around the fenced compound and mostly at weekends people would go to the bottom end of Greenacres Cemetery and see what was going on. Sometimes some people would call out to the prisoners below. The prisoners would be marched up Lees Road from Mumps station to Glen Mill. They were all dressed up alike in a kind of dark brownish red uniform with a large coloured circle on the back

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