大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War Site by Three Counties Action, on behalf of Ethel Price, and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

When I was asked to recollect memories of 1945 I was tempted to reply that I had difficulty in remembering
last week never mind 60 years ago. However I have discovered that once you start a trip down memory lane it is difficult to stop.
I have began with 1944 as this was a memorable year for me. I had left school and moved to South London working in the Strand as a teleprinter operator for Cable and Wireless Ltd., and sending and receiving telegrams for the War Office and the Admiralty.
Thus having first hand information that D-Day was about to begin on June 6th Great excitement! Diminished by the arrival of the V1鈥檚 a week later. These terrifying objects which chugged along until they ran out of fuel causing us to hold our breath until they landed and exploded a few minutes (seconds)? later. South London became known a 鈥楤uzz Bomb Alley鈥�. Nights were spent under the stairs (?explain), crawling out red eyed to catch the train to work in the morning. I can still remember the empty desks of the girls who hadn鈥檛 been so lucky the night before.
My parents, my sister and I were out of the house when a direct hit demolished it and all its contents.
By 1945 the end was in sight and we celebrated V-E day on May 8th. I was with my
future in-laws at Luton and the town was packed with revellers including American servicemen stationed at Chicksands. I began to think I may soon see my two brothers who had been away in the Navy and Air Force for six years but it was another year before we were a family again.
My memory of V-J Day on August 14th is of being squashed against the railings of Buckingham Palace, yelling 鈥淲e want the KING鈥�, until the Royal Family appeared on the balcony. The crowds were incredible and I shall never forget it.
Our bombed out home had been replaced by a gas-lit three rooms and my mother spent her time worrying the Council for a house for her sons to come home to. At that time
any houses that had been left empty were requisitioned and finally we were allowed a large detached one.
However, within the next year my brothers and I were married and joined thousands of others looking for a home of our own. But that鈥檚 another story鈥︹�︹�︹��.

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