大象传媒

When World War II first broke out my Grandma was 7 years old and my Grandad was 10. They found out about the War when they were reading the paper. My Grandad's family all burst into tears as they knew their Dad would be going off to war.

Everyone between the ages of 17-30 would have to go to War. They were told to pack their things and go to the nearest military camp where they would be sent to the war. During the first day after War was declared, they all went to church to mourn and pray for peace as their husbands, fathers and sons would be going off to war.

My Grandma was affected differently, her family got straight to work on the Anderson shelter and my Grandma, Uncle Jim and Auntie Joyce were in the house because they were so shocked about the news they had just been given. But my Grandma's father didn't have to go off to war which was very pleasing for my Grandma. They were also glad they didn't have to share their shelter with anyone. On the following Sunday everyone in the town went to their local church to pray for peace.

When the War started and the Anderson shelter was finished, the bombs felt like they were getting closer and closer. My Grandad lived at Fencehouses and my Grandma lived in Chester-le-Street. The North-East was quite dangerous especially at Newcastle but my Grandma and Grandad didn't really live in a dangerous area but bombs did drop about a mile away from where they lived.

During the middle of the War, it started to get a bit more dangerous so my Auntie and Uncle got evacuated to Devon, my Grandma wasn't evacuated because she was too young. Grandad told me that the most terrifying thing he could remember about the War was being dragged out of the bed by his mother in the middle of the night and just hearing the air raid siren and the loud drone of planes whilst being pulled into the Anderson shelter by his terrified mother.

They didn't eat very well during the rationing, it seemed that everyone missed sweets, in fact, when the rationing was lifted my Grandma and Grandad ran to the shop and got lots and lots of sweets. My Grandad was happy to see his Dad come back alive and well, one thing they hated was the powdered egg which they used to get - it was horrible!

The War was very useful to my Grandad. It made him find a love and passion for life and we should treasure every moment as we don't know how long we might have left on earth.

My Grandad didn't have much of a collection of war pieces he mainly just collected shrapnel but some kids found used ammunition. The longest they stayed in an Anderson shelter was 12 hours but they said it was scary as they didn't know if they would come out alive.

When the War was finally over they enjoyed having a street party and staying up late and not having to go in the Anderson shelter again.

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