- Contributed by听
- Leeds Libraries
- People in story:听
- Audrey Callaghan
- Location of story:听
- Harehills - Leeds
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A3315449
- Contributed on:听
- 23 November 2004
baby gas mask
Audrey was about 16 whan the war began and as she was older she had a job to do in the home front. Her Dad had fought in WW1 and was in the Home Guard in WW2 so it was really in the family.
The forces sent out a representative to give some instruction to the people at home in how to deal with incendiary attacks and any bombs dropped. Every person, who was of an age to help, was then given a role in the streets defences and a section of the street to look after. This could be responsibility for the sand bucket or the water bucket, the stirrup pumps, the spade or the fire tongs to pick up the incendiary devices.
Audrey's family used to keep their equipment in the toilet square in the street so it was easy to get to when the siren went off! Audrey's auntie used to take her stuff out into the street in her nightie and then dash back inside to get ready, when the siren blew, before she could go and deal with the devices. Audrey said she remembered her Dad going out all night and guarding the dairy where he worked and then working in the day too if he had got in before a certain time. She used to work in the street in her section until her Dad said it was too dangerous and she had to go in.
Audrey also remembers the suit her new born sister had to wear, when the siren went off, something like a sleeping bag. This sounds quite nice unlike the gas mask which was an all-in-one suit.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.