- Contributed by听
- Harlow_Library
- People in story:听
- Margaret Jane Judd nee Hack, Frederick Leonard Hack, Dasiy Emily Hack, Henry Hack, Joseph Francis Hack, Arthur Hack, Grandparents - Daisy and Joseph Hack
- Location of story:听
- East Finchley, London E12
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A4515482
- Contributed on:听
- 22 July 2005
Henry Hack who died aged 19 years during the D Day landings. His body was never found.
My name is Margaret Jane Judd nee Hack. I have a twin sister Daisy Emily and we were born on 5.2.1940. We also had an older brother Joseph Francis born on 20.12.38. He died on 3rd June 1989.
My Father was Frederick Leonard Hack and he was married to our mother Shelomith Ann (nee Green). My mother died suddenly on 21.10.42 and was found by my paternal grandmother when she went to visit. We all went to live with our Grandparents. My father (Royal Artillery) was out in Egypt at this time during the battle of El Alemain and he was given compassionate leave to. He had to make his own way home and it took him 6 months. For part of his journey he was on the ship HMS Volendaam and I believe he said that they had Italian prisoners on board. They had great difficulty getting into port.
We all lived with my grandparents, along with their youngest son, Henry, at 2 Prospect cottages, Prospect Place, East Finchley N2.
Henry ( Lancashire Regiment) was 19 years old when he died on the first day during the D day landings. His body was never found. We three children all went to Holy Trinity School just like my father and his brothers.
My Grandparents had two other sons Joseph and Arthur. Arthur did not fight in the war like his brothers as he was disabled.
Life must have been hard for my grandmother. We all lived in the little two bedroom cottage. It had no electricity and I remember it took all day on a Monday to do the washing. We always had cold meat (from Sunday) and bubble and squeak for dinner on Monday which my father would prepare because he only worked half day on Monday. He was a butcher.
The Home Guard presented a footstall, in Henry鈥檚 honour to Holy trinity church, church Lane, East Finchley. It is still there and is still being used. My Grandmother would be so pleased to know this.
I remember the swimming pool at Squires Lane in East Finchley. The ARP drained it and put camp beds in it for people to sleep on.
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