大象传媒

Estelle Moira Ingram (Moira) worked in Manchester during the early war years. She later served in the fire service as a firewoman in Nantwich, serving from December 1941 until April 1945, when she was unable to continue.

During her time in Manchester, Moira often wrote to her Mother in Nantwich. The following is one of the letters she wrote:

"October 1st, 1940

Dear Mother,

How are you going on with Air Raids since you last wrote? We have been having two or three raids each night and some during the day too. It is now 10.45 and Mr Dowell has come in from the pictures. We are in the midst of a raid which started at 9.30. Mr D. tells us that he, together with a number of other people, has been flat out on his tummy in the middle of the main road. It appears a bomb was dropped, about half an hour ago I think, somewhere near here, and they all flattened out because they thought it was nearer than it really was. He says they heard the hiss of it as it came down and saw several flares, so they thought that it was best to lie flat till everything had subsided. The plane keeps coming backwards and forwards and the Heaton Park batteries give short bursts of Anti-Aircraft fire. The 鈥淎ll Clear鈥� is just going now at five past eleven. On Wednesday and Friday mornings when we have had a raid after midnight I do not have to commence work until 10.30 am so I don鈥檛 think we shall have any more bother tonight. We never do when it is my turn to stay out the following morning.

Mr Dowell has just called us to the front door to see the results of the raid. There is a terribly large fire somewhere near here. The sky is very red and you can see the light of the flames shooting high up. I don鈥檛 know what he has hit but it must be something big. I suppose we shall hear in the morning.

We can now hear the plane coming back so I don鈥檛 see much chance of sleep tonight. He will have a good guide by the light of the fire and I suppose he will make good use of it.

Trevor has written me to tell me he is being moved in the near future and he thinks it will be to England. I hope he is right. It will be lovely to have him back in England again, and I hope he is stationed somewhere near here. It seems years since he went away instead of seven weeks.

I have decided to have my own wedding dress made, and shall be coming over soon to see Mrs Clarke about making it. I have got the material. It is quite pretty. I will send a cutting for you to see if I can remember.

Did you say you would buy me some material for a coat? I think you did, and actually what I saw and liked was in the sale, so I expect the price has gone up now. Anyway, if you will get it for me will you let me know and then I will buy it as soon as possible before it soars higher than ever. I would get it myself if I could afford it, but it is utterly impossible.

I believe the fire is going down a little bit now. Our fire brigades are wonderful, and they certainly do their bit.

Well, I will write again and tell you some more Air Raid news, and perhaps if you are very lucky you may get another running commentary on one.

Anyway, I hope you are not having it too tough down at home. I keep meaning to write to Aunty Eve and Aunty Pat but I seem to be having less time now then ever before. I will try to sometime this week. I wrote to Doug, but up to now I have not had a reply. Perhaps I shall get one soon, I expect he is pretty busy.

Well, I will get to bed for a bit of sleep now. Things seem to have quietened down for the moment, so I will make the best of it.

Cheerio for the present,

Your loving daughter,

Moira xxxxxx

p.s 鈥� Please ask Winnie to make my cake now, or at least start on it. I want it to be good, and the longer it stands the better it will be. Love M xxx"

This story was collected by Ruth Haycocks and submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Becky Barugh, both of the 大象传媒 Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Moira Ingram and has been added to the site with her permission. Mrs Ingram fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Moira's stories:

• Letter home, September 18th, 1940
• Letter home, October 4th 1940
• National Fire Service promotional letter
• National Fire Service discharge letter
• National Fire Service Certificate of Service

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