大象传媒

Estelle Moira Ingram (Moira) worked in Manchester during the early war years. She later served in the fire service as a firewoman in Nantwich, serving from December 1941 until April 1945, when she was unable to continue.

During her time in Manchester, Moira often wrote to her Mother in Nantwich. The following is one of the letters she wrote:

"September 18th, 1940

Dear Mother,

Well, are you still alive and kicking?

We had a very close raid on Sunday night and 15 bombs were dropped in Heaton Park and two just outside, but no damage was done. They just made a few holes that鈥檚 all. That was the first night I have ever stayed in bed during a raid, but I was so tired when I arrived here that I decided I wouldn鈥檛 get up for anything, and I didn鈥檛. I heard the warning and then went to sleep until the 鈥渁ll clear鈥� about three hours later. I didn鈥檛 know they had been so near or I would have been out of bed quickly. I鈥檓 afraid a bomb would have to drop in the back garden before they would move me when I am asleep. Anyway, I believe we had a whistling bomb too, and I didn鈥檛 even hear that.

Did you send Trevor鈥檚 parcel? Did the apple pie pack or was it too squashy? Mine was lovely, but it didn鈥檛 last long. I wrote and told him you were sending it.

I will write to Doug some time this week. I think I remembered to bring his address with me.

How are the Bayley鈥檚? Has David got rid of his cold?

I must write to Aunty Ethel to ask her for some more wool to finish Ruth鈥檚 suit although I only need it just to lengthen the leggings. Everything else is finished. I think I may leave until I come over again. It won鈥檛 be long so I may as well.

I arrived here at 8.45 on Sunday night. If I had waited and walked down with you I should have been in plenty of time as it was 6.30 when the train came in instead of 6.15, and anyway I was there at 6.00. Did you get your bike all right? I put it a long way down so as to ride it from sight as much as possible.

We had two Air Raid warnings last night and three on Monday night. Up to now we have had none more today or tonight and it is now 10.15 pm. We had one day-raid on Monday and one yesterday too, but he has left us alone today. The weather was terrible last night and we did not think he would come, but he did, even though the wind was blowing a gale.

I don鈥檛 think I shall bother getting up tonight, but I will go to bed now before he comes; so goodbye, for the present.

Your loving daughter,

Moira xxxxx

p.s 鈥� Before I had finished writing the last paragraph we heard a plane zooming overhead, and I expect we shall be getting the sirens any time now. So cheerio, Love M xxx

Please excuse the dirty envelope. It is the only one I have."

This story was collected by Ruth Haycocks and submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Becky Barugh, both of the 大象传媒 Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Moira Ingram and has been added to the site with her permission. Mrs Ingram fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Moira's stories:

• Letter home, October 1st, 1940
• Letter home, October 4th 1940
• National Fire Service promotional letter
• National Fire Service discharge letter
• National Fire Service Certificate of Service

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.