- Contributed by听
- Leicestershire Library Services - Hinckley Library
- Location of story:听
- Hinckley, Leicestershire
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A3228356
- Contributed on:听
- 05 November 2004
'I was five years old when the Germans bombed Merivale Avenue in Hinckley. I don't remember much, other than that I was taken to see what was left of the street after the bombs had been dropped. I think the German airforce was aiming for the Gas Works as these were clsoe by and, even as a small girl I realised that we had, had a lucky escape as we lived close by'
'I was very young during the war years and really don't remember that much. What I do remember are the Americans who got bileted in Hinckley. There were serveral sites in Hinckley where they were based; Trinity Lane, Banners Lane and Trinity Hall (where the leisure centre now stands). There was also a tank store which we used to sneak a look at. This was located on the old wreck, Coventry Road.'
'Everyone in Hinckley had gas masks and unlike some places where people might have left them at home, we never went anywhere without them. We daren't go anywhere as we lived so close to the Gas Works and with the threat of air attacks our gas masks were extremely important. When the air raid sirens went off we all used to head for the nearest shelter. We didn't have our own shelters, there were no andersens in our gardens and instead we would go to communal shelters which usually held up to a whole street of people'
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