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I was 10 years old. War was declared and I was about to finish junior school. Prior to the outbreak, I was more scared than at anytime during the conflict. The cause was the treaty signed by Hitler and Stalin. However, along with three friends, we dug the trench in our back garden to accommodate the Anderson shelter. The assembly of the parts was completed by grown-ups. This shelter arguably saved a number of lives in 1940.

Things changed rapidly following the declaration of war. Cinemas, theatres, schools closed temporarily. It was what we would call today a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction.

At first teachers visited private homes for a while to give us tuition. This situation did not last and quite soon, schooling returned to normal. I should add that at no time evacuation was even considered. My father was abroad and it was unthinkable as an only child that my mother and I could possibly be separated. My father died in October 1939.so we needed to support each other. Growing up is accelerated in such circumstances. My school, Tindal Street School was evacuated to Badmington Gloucestershire.

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Anastasia Travers a volunteer with WM CSV Actiondesk on behalf of Charles Crowe and has been added to the site with his permission. Charles Crowe fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

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