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This story was submitted to the People`s War site by Alan Magson of Age Concern Bradford and District on behalf of Peggy Rastrick and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site`s terms and conditions.

In 1940 I was eight years old and the war did not seem to impinge on our family too much. No doubt there may have been some evacuations from Bradford but I was not aware of them. My father, who would have been 50 years old, was not called up for the Services. He was old enough to have served in the First World War and he worked in a local carpet factory which, I believe, changed to manufacturing webbing for the soldiers’ equipment. I remember him digging a big hole in the garden and building up the Anderson Shelter from pieces of corrugated metal, while my mother fixed up pieces of black material at all the windows to ensure the evening blackout was observed.
I can remember being taken into the shelter at night and sitting waiting for the All Clear Siren to sound. I am aware that Bradford was not a main target for enemy bombs, although the one time when a bomb hit the city centre and destroyed Lingards store I was grieved that they had not even bothered to wake me up! It was only many years later that I found out there was a factory in Yeadon near the airport that manufactured aeroplane components. I am told this was partially below ground and was covered with turf so that it would be hidden.
The following year when I went to junior school, I can remember us all being marched out to two long shelters where we sat on two benches facing each other. One time we were all issued with a cork to put between our teeth, presumably, to absorb shock vibrations if a bomb dropped nearby. At other times we had a singsong and sat there singing Run Rabbit Run Rabbit Run Run Run.
On a certain day I was taken by my mother to the Temperance Hall where everyone was issued with a gas mask. When this was put on the smell of rubber and dust made you feel that you were choking. Young babies were issued with grotesque masks which were supposed to resemble a Mickey Mouse face. Entertainment was provided while you waited for your turn to get your mask in the form of a talent contest. Once you had your gas mask you were supposed to carry it every where in the cardboard case which was slung over your shoulder. Later I heard, there were special vans which were sent round the town to test the masks, where the workers had to walk through gas wearing their mask
Another outing I remember was to the St. George’s Hall where families were issued with tins of dried milk and those with young babies also collected rose hip syrup, which was rich in vitamin C. I can also remember the taste of dried eggs which when reconstituted was rather bitter.
When I was about 10 years old I had the job of queuing up at the local bakers for perhaps an hour or more each Saturday to try to buy a cake for the family. These were always either lemon or orange cakes and tasted dry and not very nice. I was told that people were often forced to use liquid paraffin in their cakes in lieu of other fats which were not available. I believe this was also used as a laxative!
When I was 13 years old I was sent to the vicarage each week for pre-confirmation lessons. One week the vicar was not available and the house keeper told us we could play in the garden and gather some lilac to take home. Later, walking down Wyke through the estate there seemed to be a strange atmosphere with lots of people standing talking by their garden gates. Once I arrived home I found out that the war in Europe was over and VE day was followed shortly by VJ day — victory in Japan. All the children on the avenue, including myself went chumping — gathering wood- for a huge communal bonfire. When this was ready, a local boy of about my age went round with a flaming torch lighting the fire, but when he got round the back he suddenly dived into the wood and emerged with our cat. It had, apparently decided it was a good shelter to sleep in. Luckily, both boy and cat came out unscathed.

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