大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Anastasia Travers from WM CSV Actiondesk on behalf of Irene Gould and has been added to the site with her permission. Irene Gould fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

My mom, dad, sister and I lived in a back-to-back house in Charles Henry St. Highgate Birmingham. My sister was only a few months old when one evening we were all sheltering in a big building on the corner of Charles Henry St. and I think, Leopold Street. The building was called Hancox. I am not sure how long we were there but we were told to go home as the building had caught fire because an incendiary bomb has landed on the rood. These bombs didn鈥檛 explode, but set buildings on fire. We hadn鈥檛 been home long when a knock came on the door. When mum answered it a man said 鈥淗ello ma鈥檃m, you left your babies bottle over the road?鈥� 鈥淚 knew you鈥檇 be needing it so I brought it back for you.鈥� such thoughtful people.

Another vivd memory I have is the day an incendiary bomb came crashing through our attic window, landing on the bedroom floor. We had to send for the fire service to remove it. The floor was left with a big scorch mark after as a permanent reminder.

I remember after that we used to go to the shelter in Digbeth and Bullring area. We had to take our pillows and bed clothes with us on a pram. Down in the shelter there would be people who would sing and play accordion. I thought this was great fun, little did I care there was a war on. Oh, the innocence of a 5 year old!

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