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Elizabeth's Personal Details:

My name is Elizabeth Johnson and have lived in Brighton for 21 years. I have attended the St. Johns Day Centre in Hove for 5 years. At the centre I enjoy playing cards and draughts and like knitting blankets.

Elizabeth's Story:

I was based in a little town called Dephford near Bromwich, and in WW2 I worked in the 'Cook House' and cooked meals for the POW and the soldiers. I remember when me and my friends were going to see a film near the cookhouse and we couldn't make because about 100 German soldiers came to our Cook House wanting a hot meal! We were dissapointed, but the manager of the cinema took pity on us and let us in free the next night!

I joined the Cook House in Depthford in March 1943, and my position was a LACW. I remember particularly, when I was living at home, how frighting it was for me as a 23 year old girl, when the air raid sirens went off. I would hide under the stairs with my mother and my brother. We had had to duck down and keep silent and have all the windows darkened.

I also remeber VE day in 1945, it seemed liked the whole of London was marching over London Bridge celebrating. We were making such a noise that an old lady from one of the flats shouted " Keep the noise down". I shouted "Come out and join us, it's the end of the War!" But she never came out!

My father was also in the Merchant Navy along with his 5 brothers and my brother was in the army. It was a frightening time for everybody.

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