大象传媒

This story has been written onto the 大象传媒 People鈥檚 War site by CSV Storygatherer Louise Smith on behalf of Diana Ashton. The story has been added to the site with their permission and Diana Ashton fully understands the terms and conditions of the site.

I was 5 when the war broke out and we had just moved to Chessington. My father had been in the Navy in the First World War and was furious when they told him he was told he was too old to serve again! So he joined Dad鈥檚 Army!

One night, Chessington Zoo was hit by a bomb and some animals were killed. We could hear the lions were roaring at night and I often wondered if one could get through the entrance to our shelter, so my father slept with a gun beside him, not to deal with the Germans, but the lions! The dog refused to sleep in the shelter, but always slept by the wall in the middle of the house 鈥� the safest place!

We never seemed to go hungry, but I remember my mother standing by the chicken run waiting for a chicken to lay so we could have an egg for tea! My great aunt has a poultry farm with all the eggs boxed up ready for collection by the ministry, but we were not permitted to have any! My brother made a run for our chicks from any odds and ends he could find.

Whenever I see a bright red sunset, it reminds me of my most vivid memory 鈥� the bright red glow of London burning night after night.

On the very rare occasion that there were some oranges, I remember being sent off to join the queue. If we were particularly lucky, we would be allowed two of them for the family!

On VE night, there was a street party and an effigy of Hitler was hung. A young Petula Clark sang 鈥淪winging on a Star鈥�.

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