大象传媒

My WW2 memories begin with my 2 older brothers & younger sister & I spending a lot of time down the Anderson shelter in the back garden. OWe watched doodle-bugs flying overhead with flames pouring out the back. Wewaited for the motors to cut out knowing we were safe once they had gone over. It was exciting & I do not remember being afraid. We also had large air raid shelters in the street so if we were out there we used them in emergencies. This was Ascot Gardens Southall Middlesex where we were born.Our Dad slept in the house as there wasn't a lot of room in the shelter. We were not evacuated until July 1944 when a land mine flattened houses in our road & people were killed. Dad slept through the raid & we found him underneath the whole bay window which was blown out by the blast. Luckily he was not hurt.This was when it was decided to evacuate us 4 children. We went by train to Burton-on-Trent & waited in the local hall but nobody wanted to take on 4 children. Then later we were lucky, 2 ladies whose husbands were away in the forces agreed to take 2 children each, so my brothers went next door. We lived in Derby Street & attended the local school. The lady in my house had a baby called Peter & he had a cousin Doreen the same age as me. We all played together with my brothers.
I have recently managed to trace Doreen & Peter & we have re-newed our friendships. my dad worked at Hoovers Perivale as a toolmaker & Mum worked in a munitions factory in Southall so they did not come with us. We were away for about 6 months & when they could'nt bear it any longer Mum came & fetched us home. My sister & I have happy memories of this time but our brothers were not too keen.
My recent research has found photographs of our arrival in Burton-on-Trent from the Burton Times archives.
At the end of the war we had a lovely street party with lots of lovely food despite rationing. Our piano was pushed outside & we all sang & had a good time.
Everybody was so pleased to get back to normal.

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