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During the 2nd World War, my sister and I became ARP Wardens for the borough of Epsom and Ewell.
My sister, being Miss Alice Lacey, myself, Miss Audrey Lacey lived at 38 Pound Lane, Epsom, Surrey.
Although we had only left school one year, my father, James Lacey, a local coal distributor, was serving in the Home Guard and away a lot in London helping the injured and felt we should do our bit to help others in need.
Our ARP duties were mainly on an evening as we both worked during the day, my sister at Chessington Road sub post office, Ewell and myself at East Street sub post office, Epsom. Our headquarters were at St. Barnabas Church Hall, Hook Road, Epsom. The main duties were to carry messages between these and West Hill House, Epsom, another Outpost. Sometimes we walked and other times we cycled — this being very difficult during the blackout. We were expected to help people out in difficulties. At times, very frightening, especially during an air raid with bombs dropping and ack-ack flying around, not to mention the dreaded Doodle Bugs. We wore a uniform and a tin helmet complete with gas mask and carried a torch for our protection.
My father had taught us to cope with incendiary bombs and the stirrup pump gave us plenty of practise.
On one occasion, we were returning from the Outpost via the Court recreation ground in Epsom, when a German plane was shot down by ack ack, caught fire and the pilot ejected by parachute. My sister and I were eager to get the parachute silk so we went to his aid. He couldn’t speak English, likewise we couldn’t speak German. He had great difficulty in walking, so we chaired him to our home, only minutes away. My father was very annoyed and called the Military Police. The pilot was taken away with a broken ankle.
On another occasion when the shop in East Street, Epsom closed early on Wednesdays, I used to enjoy decorating the shop window with groceries, as most shops did in those days. That night a bomb fell close by and the blast blew the window out, together with the groceries.
We had no room in our garden for an Anderson shelter so we used the cupboard under the stairs for the protection of my mother, grandmother, and younger sister. My sister and I used a mattress which we put down every night under a very large table in the living room — very uncomfortable.
My final story, relates to a Squash and Badminton Club, sited in East Way, Epsom, which was taken over for a considerable time by the army with a garrison of troops from Yorkshire.. They pitched the sentry box opposite our house. My sister and I enjoyed communications with the guard on duty during the night, unbeknown to our parents!
I end on a happier note, most Saturday nights lots of troops and airmen used to visit the town and we would all enjoy the dancing held at the Epsom Baths in East Street when everyone could enjoy themselves and many friendships were made.

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