大象传媒

Two members of our family were Quakers, and therefore conscientious objectors. They went before a tribunal to prove their point. My Uncle was drated into the Friend's Ambulance Unit, serving in Egypt. Although he himself did not carry arms, his unit came under fire. My Aunt was put to work in a childrens' Home. As other members of the family were called to active service, it created some tension within the family.

Towards the end of the War, as our soldiers were liberated from prisoner of war camps in both Germany and Japan, their appearance left a lasting impression, due to their physical state.

Italian prisoners of war who were held in this country were to be seen sweeping the roads in the village but they all looked healthy, happy and well fed.

The 'Mums' of the day managed so well to give us sufficient to eat with the meagre allowance of food. One thing which I remember well - a small pot of tea was made for my mother to have after lunch - one cup was for her and my job was always to take the tea pot to our next door neighbour's house for Mrs. M. to have the other cup of tea.

Near to where we lived at Bournville, a bridge carried the canal over the road. One night a bomb scored a direct hit on the bridge and the canal emptied and flooded all of the houses and air-raid shelters in the area.

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