大象传媒

I was 22 when war was declared. I married my husband in 1940 and 13 days later he was sent abroad to war. I didn't see him agin until the end. We kept in touch during this time through air grams.
As I was married I could not go into the Services. Women who had never worked found themselves in jobs that had previously been done by men. Yet after the war women were expected to go back to the domestic roles. A lot of women found this very hard to adjust to.
I joined the women's Home Guard. The Home Guard gave people a focus and I really enjoyed my time with them. I also joined the WVS and the 'Kitbag Club'. This was down an alleyway near the Crown and Cushion Public House. It was a relaxation club for soldiers stationed in Chesterfield. Volunteers used to serve tea and coffee. I worked 2 shifts a week.
Chesterfield changed dramatically. Before the war it was a quiet country town. Now eveyone began to mix. It was a great leveller of people. There was a feeling of us all working together towards the same end.
The social life was very good. I remember dancing with friends at the Victoria Ballrooms to a wonderful orchestra. Pubs closed at 9pm. There was nothing much to drink, but I remember drinking sloe gin. Buses also stopped at 9pm. So I used to walk home on my own with a small torch because of the blackout.
Rationing was introduced and there was little fresh food. However, I was lucky as I worked opposite Shentall's Greengrocers, so I was aware when fruit was delivered and could join the queues. I also had a friend that worked in the chemist who would let me know when they added the most basic items such as hairgrips and make-up. I was fortunate to have a Dressmaker who made my clothes.
All the people on our street got together to arrange fire watching duties. I remember one night when the sirens went off all the neighbours came running outside. One lady was in the middle of dyeing her hair and she came out with it running all over her face. It looked like blacking for shoes.
At the end of the war, on August 16th 1945, my 5th wedding anniversay I knew my husband was coming home. I met him in the hotel lift at our meeting point in Leeds. There was an amazing atmosphere and everybody was celebrating, but no-one could get a drink at the bar.
Looking back I was fortunate as our family suffered no losses during the war. Before the war life was quite ordinary, but during the war life was so different and had more purpose. Once war was over life returned to the ordinary. Happily in 1947 I had my first child.

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