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A War Baby Story

I was born in the 1930’s so yes, I was a young war baby.
My brothers and sisters and friends found it hard growing up in the war years. The reason for this was there was not always enough food to eat, but what we had we shared with each other. Most of the food in the shops was on ration coupons and you had to make sure you did not spend your coupons too fast or you ended up eating less.
The main reason we found it hard was the enemy raids. Their planes would come over head and drop all their bombs. We had a warning system, so when you heard a siren start blowing you would run to your night shelter and stay there until you heard the siren blow again, that would let you know it was all clear to go back to your own home – that was if it was still there when you got back. On our street most of the houses were ok but unlucky for us our house and our friends next door had been hit. But, when the damage was sorted out at least we could move back in. Because of so many raids we did not have to go to school and we were not allowed to go out to play in our garden or our friends garden. Because some of the bombs that had been dropped had not gone off and if you moved or touched them they could blow up and kill you. Some did and many children and grown-ups died. I lost some close friends and it made me sad so I made sure not to let my brothers and sisters and friends go near them.
Some days we would see wardens come and take the bombs that had fell in our gardens away to make the place safe.
The war went on for a long time, we and everyone were glad when it was all over. I can remember the joy and the street parties but still I remember the passes and many sad endings god bless all them who are no longer with us.

Ted Rutter

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