大象传媒

This Story is submitted by a volunteer on behalf of Radio bristol Action Desk at City of Bristol College.

Valerie born 1936 was only 3 when war started. Valerie remembers the bombing of Filton and playing in road when Mum pulled both Valerie and her younger sister in from outside. Valerie thought it was a swarm of bees as sky was so black and buzzing.

Valerie's Father was serving abroad in Ceylon in Fleet Air Arm, Valerie's father repaired aircraft sent back from different missions.

Valerie remembers ARP officer knocking on door and had to go to air raid shelter (communial at end of street) which was cold and musty with candles. They would sing songs to keep cheery.

Frenchay hospital was an American service hospital. Americans built hospital. Italian prisoners of war were held near by.

Valerie remembers queing for bread with Mum at Downend Baker Shop but they had to get their early. Valerie also remembers having to stay in bed to keep warm as was unable to light fire until after lunch. Valerie's Mum used to fold newspaper into kindling paper for the fire as wood was not ready available.

Both John and Valerie remember - Dried egg which was delicious could make fantastic omelletes with chopped onion to make savoury. Both remember Dried milk and cod liver oil and concentrated orange which they would collect from Food Office in Staple Hill. You had to be of a certain age to have a ration book. Different coloured ration books - buff for adults green for children.

The Street Party at Graham Road, Downend - was a brilliant day - bread and jam sandwiches, jelly and spam. Everybody contributed to street party from food rations and things they had been hoarding.

Both remember special "ee" coupons for sweets, so many a month when used that was it.

John's father was in the trenches in Battle of Soolme. Brother (Harry) was a artillery gunner as a sargeant training troops for front line. Harry had a caravan and used to take his family with him.

John remembers going on holiday (Amesbury, Nr Salisbury Plain) with his brother in the caravan and a spitfire during the day went over top of caravan and exploded in a grave yard close by. Harry emigrated after war to Australia with family.

John's father was too old for WW2 so was a fire watcher storing components for bombs and was in charge of the explosives. A Tower in Warmley was used for storing explosives which is now a musuem.

John never went hungry during the war as father kept rabbits and John carried on keeping rabbits for many years after. John tells me once they skinned a cat and served up and not a soul knew the difference from Cat or Rabbit. One sister (Hilda) in Municions and sister (Edna) ATS.

John remembers being released from school and being paid 6p a day picking potatoes. This was done when not enough land girls or farmers to do the work. Asked John what he remembers about school - cained a lot!!

Valerie remembers Mum's dress being cut up and used to make a swimsuit.

When young John and Valerie lived in a village next door to each other.

John in Navy after war

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