大象传媒

Mrs Rogers was born in Bournemouth in 1918 and has lived here ever since. Her Husband lived here also. When Mrs Rogers was old enough to go to school she attended The Holy Cross. Her father was a carpenter and her mother was a housewife. Mrs Rogers had a very big family which consisted of her having four brothers and six sisters, she was the youngest. The family lived in a place called York place, which is situated near Pokesdown. Her and her brothers and sisters all went to the Holy Cross School. After this she went to a school in Ringwood, they lived in St Leonard鈥檚 whilst at School in Ringwood. She stated she didn鈥檛 learn much at this school mind. She

Mrs Rogers left school when she was sixteen and went into service as a domestic, she states that she thoroughly enjoyed it. This is when she moved back to Bournemouth. This work was the done thing at the time, very expected of her. Mrs Rogers got roughly 10 shillings a week but that would go straight to her boss for her keep. Mrs Rogers was in service for about two years until she got married at the age of eighteen. Her husband worked for the Council. He would do abit of everything including driving all the lorries.

When World War Two broke out Mrs Rogers said that she couldn鈥檛 really remember much as she was still very young and feels that the stuck with the same people and just tried to enjoy themselves as much as possible. Mrs Rogers had six or seven children, they all live in Bournemouth, they all go and visit her regularly, they are a very good family.

The rationing was a very vague subject for Mrs Rogers, as she cannot remember anything about it. She does however, remember that Beales department store got destroyed by a bomb, she also remembers the Metropole Hotel being at the Lansdowne. The Town Hall she remembers, being used as a hotel. Mrs Rogers would mostly travel by Bus, bicycle or tram in those days, she preferred to ride her bicycle though. Bournemouth has always been a nice place said Mrs Rogers and her children all have been born in Bournemouth and now live here. When she would go on the trams she would always go on the tram, she would travel to Christchurch by tram. Bournemouth in those days seemed like a very quiet place, although Mrs Rogers cannot remember much about it.

During the War Bournemouth beach was closed and barbed wire was put all around to stop people getting in, although Mrs Rogers always found a way to creep through. Mrs Rogers found it very sad that the Pier was bombed. When the pier was all in tacked before she can remember going on it with her parents and siblings and playing with all her toys etc. She can remember her mother being very strict and not allowing them to go too far. In those days, there was no pier theatre so it was just open space. People would use it to either walk or play. Much more open.

She cannot remember seeing many soldiers through the war in Bournemouth but can remember seeing aeroplanes going over and making an almighty noise. She can remember looking up and wondering where they were going to now. Unfortunately she was unable to see the warships in the bay, as there was a strong law against it.

Mr Rogers cannot remember anything about VE day, the only thing was that they were not allowed to mix with the soldiers. On a couple of occasions she attended the cinema, the films that played were all silent. A cinema in Boscombe, which no longer exists. She tells how she never went to the swimming baths when she was older but can remember going when she was at school.

Her Husband was not called up for service, stayed at home and was classed as working in a reserved occupation. Mrs Rogers felt very lucky that her husband was not called up for service. The majority of her family are all from Bournemouth and are still living here to this day. Mrs Rogers was kept busy looking after her children, they also attended Holy Cross school.

The War was very memorable for some and not for others, unfortunately Mrs Rogers cannot remember much more than this, the one thing she can remember is that they lived life as best they could with as many smiles as they could.

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