大象传媒

When war against Germany was declared I was 26 and working in Leeds, Yorkshire and lived with my parents. Those who weren't "called up" were asked to volunteer for a vital service. I enrolled with my Father's car as petrol was rationed immediately, with the Leeds Civil Defence Ambulance Service and reported for duty at nearby Municipal Swimming Baths which had been adapted as a First Aid Ambulance Depot the pool was drained and we used the area for training. "Shifts" covered 24 hours, 12 hours on and 12 hours off. At night as there was then no signs of air raids we were allowed to rest/sleep in the pool area. Before I volunteered everyone had to report to their local area office to be given a gas mask, later my civilian one was exchanged for a service mask which had to be carried at all times. Also issued National Identity Cards with a personal number, mine was KGKV 274 3, and ration books. We were given instructions re night time "blackout", the windows and doors to be kept shut and curtained and the glass would be taped to protect from flying splinters if broken by blast. Air Raid Wardens patrolled the areas and there was big trouble if light showed. Notices to the Public "Put that light out!" - I still do it. Cars had "hoods" over the headlights, only essential traffic, no streetlight, on the railways all trains had to have blinds down over the windows and station names taken down so you had to listen very carefully to the name called out at the stations, this was to confuse the enemy should they land in our country. All signposts were taken down so the Germans wouldn't know where they were. Also, all atlases sold had no place index, I still have mine.

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