大象传媒

The war clouds were looming. When it was learned that there was a possibility of war with Germany, we were versed on what would be done. We would have to keep a small suitcase with a change of clothes ready in case of evacuation. In our case it was wrapped up in either newspaper or brown paper, we had no suitcases. Keep our gas masks with us at all times, we had now been issued with these gas masks and taught how to use them. What a foul smell of rubber when they were put on. I felt sorry for the tiny babies, they had to be put in this large form of container with a great piece of cellophane for them to see out and be seen? Our gas masks came in cardboard boxes that had to be held against the chest, fat lot of use these were if you had to run anywhere. They were only held on by a piece of string, they would be bouncing all over your chest unless held down with your hands. We had demonstrations on what to do if war was declared. When that fateful day arrived and we listened to Neville Chamberlain give his sorrowful speech at 11 a.m. that Sunday Morning, we wondered what would happen. The grown ups said it would be all over by Christmas and that Hitler would never attack Britain, how wrong they were. The women were very fretful of the outcome.

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Anastasia Travers a volunteer with WM CSV Actiondesk on behalf of Norman Bailey and has been added to the site with his permission. Norman Bailey fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

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