大象传媒

The cinemas of Wallasey were a great place to go for relaxation, but there were times when a notice would appear on the screen which would inform you that there was an "Air Raid In Progress. You are advised to take shelter." Not many people left because in theory the reckoning was that you could quite as easily be killed going home, as you could by sitting in the cinema.

Posters had a heyday during the war years, urging you to be ever vigilant. "Save Fuel to make Munitions for Battle". "Beat Firebomb Fritz, Britain Shall Not Burn." "Dig for Victory". "Keep Mum -- she's not so Dumb." "Careless Talk Costs Lives." "They talked -- this happened." But the one I remember best goes like this: "When you've news of our munitions, keep it dark./ Ships or Planes or troop positions, keep it dark./ Lives are lost through conversation,/ Here's a tip for the Duration,/ When you've news or information, keep it dark."

THIS IS AN EXTRACT FROM "WALLASEY AT WAR 1939-1945", WRITTEN BY B.A. THOMPSON AND SUBMITTED BY HIS FRIEND KEITH LEIGH OF SEABRIGHT, WORTHING.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.