大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Daniel Lee of the 大象传媒 on behalf of Peter Allan Manley and has been added to the site with his / her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

My Dad William Reginald Manley born 1900 deceased 1963 was in his 41st year when retreating from Dunkirk, he joined the Territorial鈥檚 as a transport driver sometime mid 1930鈥檚 for the money - 拢5 per quarter! With massive unemployment due to the depression any income was welcome plus his rabbit snaring (up to a dozen a day), mushrooming and the odd job when available.

He had never expected to go to war but in early 1939 he was called up leaving a wife and four daughters, of 3, 9, 11 and 13 years and so distraught wishing he could pay back the territorial stipend thus releasing him from a terrible predicament.

Like everybody else he had a rough time once 鈥淛erry鈥� started his advance into France, finally seizing the engine to his lorry, on orders, the marching 20 miles to Dunkirk. Once home found to have a heart condition (I think he fudged it) & invalided from the army & with plenty of war work employed in Devonport Dockyard. Result I was born April 1941 number 5 followed by another girl number 6.

In the meantime my dad started raising chickens, ducks & geese not the normal half dozen in the backyard but 50+, these he sold to friends, neighbours and business people or exchanged for tea, coffee, sugar, butter, bacon, etc. We lived like a lord. Obtaining baby chicks involved dealing with local farmers who occasionally delivered piglets to a house in the centre of Plymouth, (in the front door through the rear yard) to keep for two weeks until the Ministry Inspector (Ag and Fish) was out of the district, farmer would then collect, fatten and slaughter. My dad would take two empty cases Western National bus (once petrol available use own car) to nearest village met by farmer and return with half a pig, always top deck on bus where he could watch the cases.

Occasionally he would carry 2 live chickens (6to 8lbs), legs and beak bound with me in tow to the Plymouth synagogue for the rabbi to kill in the Jewish manner and receive a white 拢5 note in payment, a weeks wages at that time. I assume with food rationing improving and poultry feed more expensive (majority of feed cooked kitchen waste ours and neighbours) trading ceased in 1948 much to the dismay of neighbours and business people. Leaving me with wonderful memories of farm house kitchens beautiful smells, farmers wife skimming clotted cream from a large enamel basin, filling pound jar in one knowing it was going home for our consumption even though Mum made her own every day but not so thick and yellow as Mrs. Farmer.

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