大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Deena Campbell from CSV Action Desk on behalf of Mrs Agnes Lownes and has been added to the site with her permission. Mrs Lownes fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

My father was in the homeguard, I once saw a rifle hidden behind his very his very heavy khaki coloured uniform overcoat. It was a rifle shaped from wood, for practicing on parade. Mother later said his nights must have been spent parading or playing cards, having no air raids to worry about.

I do remember the black outs when heavy black curtains were closed if the air raid siren went off all lights had to be extinguished. I well remember coming home one night after visiting relations. It must have been about nine or ten in winter. Not a single street lamp was switched on but we managed to find our way home along 3 roads we had to go, feeling nervous I was glad of my mothers hand firmly clasped in mine as we walked along in the black, black dense atmosphere.

Air raid shelters were built in gardens or close to homes as possible. Some were constructed from corrugated iron, bent over in an arch shape. These were submerged into deep holes and so were almost underground. Others were built of ordinary building bricks and had concrete roofs divided into 2 or 4 rooms. I do wonder if any of these would have afforded any protection. People did often leave their homes and often slept in them. This I was told happened regularly. In the midlands and Southern areas.

Milk was delivered to us on a milk cart in large churns poured into ones own jug at the door. A trip up the road on this was our Sunday treat. Cars were very few, not a working mans tool. The streets were empty and these were our playgrounds for skipping, hop scotch and many racing games always in groups causing no problems to anyone.

Christmases were the times for family gatherings, having saved many months to provide the rare goose or chicken for dinner, maybe a lovely light cake or if we were lucky a fruit cake. These meals were extra special and much drooled over. Presents were few but valued. I once received a doll with cracked face and legs these were odd and one was cracked. Mother told me that Father Christmas had dropped it on his way. I loved it even so and later learned that it was second hand as were many clothes and objects we had.

Times were very hard for adults in those years of wear and for some years after, but people were always ready to help each other in times of hardship. The camaraderie was a blessing, it helped to get people through their sad times especially when a loved one was killed or injured or even lost abroad.

An uncle fought along with |Montgomery in Egypt, but would never talk about his experiences. My aunt said that he was a changed person and often appeared depressed. These are some of the sad things that people suffered that lasted long after the war over. I never knew how hard life was for them.

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