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A few months before the war was declared my father, who was convinced that war was coming, built a very sturdy construction about 10 feet long and wide enough for 2 to sleep comfortably in our lounge.

I shall never forget the cold shiver that went down my spine when Winston Churchill announced on the radio in his distinctive voice “We are now at war with Germany”.

Blackout was absolute — not a chink of light must be showing or the Air Raid Warden would knock or shout at your house. Traffic sidelights had to be shaded so only a little light showed on the road. No headlights. As far as I can remember the first few weeks the siren would wail and wardens blew their whistles but there was no raid.

I was married on 14th September 1940 on Battle of Britain Saturday.

My chief bridesmaid Joan arrived in her RAF uniform. I had enough clothing coupons to buy my wedding dress. The 3 bridesmaids dresses were made out of the best material we could find and a great aunt who was a milliner made their head dresses. The reception was cancelled so half the guests went to the Davis house and half to the Wood’s.

Our wedding night was spent in an Anderson Shelter which was a hole in the ground covered with corrugated iron. After that we slept in the cupboard under the stairs with our legs round the gas and electricity meters.

My husband Derek was in a Reserved Occupation growing food and he and I were in the National Fire Service.

I was a Life Boy Leader ( Junior BB ) and I used to cycle 6 miles each way with an enormous case full of equipment resting on the handlebars. All the boys ( aged 9-11 years ) came in the pitch black and air raids bless them and we had fun.

My worst experience was when 5 land mines fell diagonally and the fourth one dropped at the bottom of the garden in the town park. Our roof was blown off and doors etc were blown in. Neighbours just walked in to see if I was all right. My husband was on fire duty in London that night.

After the bombs, incendiaries & land mines came the “doodlebugs” or V1s. These were unmanned and you could hear the distinctive throbing and if you looked you could see a light at the back of it, when it ceased to throb you knew it was coming down and you just waited and hoped. Then worse still came the V2s and you couldn’t hear anything — they just arrived with a great explosion.

I do not remember celebrating Victory only a deep thankfulness that it was all over. I still had my husband and my home unlike so many other women.

Betty Davis
May 2005

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