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She was born 6 Feb 1927. Lived 263 Manchester Road East, Little Hulton and attended the Primitive Methodist School. When you were 11 you came to Birch Road School. It was a lovely school. They took them to Port Sunlight and they came out with scented soap. They did not know such things. She treasured that soap. They were 6 girls and her father couldn’t work because of bronchitis. He had been down the pits. He had pit disease but he could not claim without tests. It was very hard. She had rickets because of being short of food. Remembers outbreak of war and all crying. Heard off neighbours because had no radio, you had to have the cumulator charged up. Had one charged and one for use. Wartime food was lovely. The dried egg and the tin of pork with lard round it. Would make pastry with that. Made pastry with glycerine. Everyone was lovely with one another. Everyone helped one another. Reg worked in the pits. He came out and joined the army to Catterick and then Burma. He came back an old man. He wouldn’t talk about it. He used to meet with others in the British Legion, 4 of his mates blown up and he had to bury them. He couldn’t stand trees. He received a pension the day he died.

Her dad was an air raid warden. Her mum was deaf. She always went to watch at the window when there were air raids. The day of the Manchester Blitz, the bomb came before a siren. Mum heard that. It was horrible. You could hear the bombs dropping and the bricks falling. Then they started with the doodle bugs. She went to stay with a friend one night, friend was in Worsley. They walked past a house and it was bombed and all were killed. You couldn’t see anything in the blackout. Yet no-one touched you. You walked home at night but you were safe.

An incendiary bomb came down in Farnworth. There were flares in baskets to light up the streets. There were no road signs. Everyone was wonderful. Merchant navy ensured food. Coal was rationed. Used to go coal picking in coal rucks through Maddons Wood. People would queue up in different queues. Had black bread. Had double summer time and it was light until 12 am and the weather was gorgeous. Got extra sugar now and again. Not hungry. Got corned beef. Got American spam and that was beautiful. Got dried egg and dried apple. Had clothing coupons. Furniture was on dockets. We managed. Had pianos out and were dancing in the street on VE Day but her husband still fighting in Burma. Called the forgotten army.

At school went into the air raid shelter. She would sing. Had a beautiful voice. Her dad had a plot by the side of the Blue Bell and he grew potatoes. Would sing the Vera Lynn songs.

Behind the terraced houses were shelters with bunk beds. Manchester suffered raids. After school, she went into the mill. Did that or munitions but people were killed in munitions. She hated the mill up Bolton Road. She couldn’t stand the smell. Made rope for parachutes. She was doffin for the doubless. Would grease the rings. She couldn’t lip read. They taught her to crochet. Worked there till after the war. Then went to Burtons. Worked in mill Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Men and women worked there. Got concerts going there. She asked the boss for the money of those who were off because they were doing their work. In spare time she babysat and visited her sisters. She was shy. Went to the pictures. Monday to Palace, Tuesday elsewhere and Thursday and Friday. Couldn’t go far in case sirens started. Went to the fair once but no lights. Bought torches.

Remembers D-Day. Her sister’s husband was there and a friend’s brother. They heard on the radio and they were breaking their hearts. Everything was rationed but things could be got under the counter. Had to queue up for everything — meat, lettuce, tomato. The Blue Bell had concerts and commercials and raise money for the soldiers.

Day war ended. Not as much VJ Day as VE Day. Husband came in at Scotland but no one came to greet them. There was a piano in the street, dancing and a bonfire for VE Day. There were no tights so wore leg make up. Could get silk tights for 1 shilling if could afford. Dysons and Tomkins made the best leg make up. If couldn’t get any then made some from Camomile lotion and gravy browning. Would stand on the table and draw a line down the leg. Couldn’t get curlers so shared them around. Her sister worked in a laundry and she brought home wires to stiffen shirt collars. Used to use these as curlers but often couldn’t get them out. Would bleach hair to make it blonde but hers went green. Her dad went mad. Would roll your hair in a scarf and tie a bow.

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