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This story was submitted to the People's War site by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Learning Centre staff on behalf of Dev Padam with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I was born in 1937 so was very young at the time. Although it has been a long time, some of the memories from that time are still very vivid in my mind.

My first recollection of the war is that there was a very big pit dug out in the garden lawn, topped with corrugated sheets and then covered in turf.

Now I know that this pit was called an air-raid shelter. I do not recall any bombs falling around the area, although one heard some snippets from parents and other adults about the war. At the time I must have been about 18 months old or so.

Later, when I was about four, my father was transferred to another town. At that time, the awareness of war was more apparent.

I was always made aware of the fact that there was war and so we had to be more careful and prudent because of rationing, mainly with sugar, materials and cereals.

All the lights in the house were shaded with heavy green covers, so as not to show too much light.

Senior members of the family used to gather around the radio to listen to the news at 9pm.

I remember there was joy expressed at the news of the sinking of the ‘Bismark’. (The largest battleship in the German fleet and pride of the German Navy, the Bismark was sunk on 27 May 1941. Considered one of the most powerful vessels afloat during the war she was a major target of the British after sinking the HMS Hood with a loss of 1300 lives).

On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, my mother used to go to the senior memsahib’s bungalow to knit jumpers for the forces The wool (always light grey) and bamboo needles were supplied.

Tea and biscuits were supplied, but you had to take your own sugar, due to rationing. On the plus side, there was always plenty of tinned fruit and pink salmon available.

Meat, poultry and eggs were plentiful, as were the fresh produce, grown locally. I remember my father telling me that in the UK only one egg per person, per week was available, along with other food items.

Personally, I did not feel much hardship, but I am sure it was a tough time for my parents, having to provide all the basics and keep the family happy.

At the end of the war, there was a big victory parade and big party in the Company garden.

I came to the UK in 1962 and have lived in Gloucester since 1982.

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