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This story has been written onto the ´óÏó´«Ã½ People’s War site by CSV Story gatherer Jessica on behalf of Beryl Schollar. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.
Born in 1925, I spent my teenage and wartime years with my parents in Cardiff. Many sleepless nights were spent in the Anderson Shelter erected at the loss of our treasured rockery in the back garden. The nights were endless and uncomfortable especially in the winter months. We sat in deck chairs in an upright position for space, each with a blanket and hot water bottle. In an upright orange box we kept magazines, knitting, a tin box of candles and matches and some refreshments to hand. We each had an overnight bag packed with essentials including ’Typhoo Tips’ and sugar - just in case!
The raids of 2nd and 3rd Jan ‘41 were unforgettable, extremely heavy bombing causing many deaths, much destruction. It was cold, so cold, I recall the fire hoses were frozen and icicles hung from the guttering. One of our friends was killed along with thirty of her friends and family in a community shelter receiving a direct hit. On another occasion one road was badly bombed and destroyed a gas main cutting the service off to the area. We were lucky in having an all electric installation and so were able to make tea and use our oven to help our neighbours. When it eventually came time to go to bed, we were exhausted and shocked to find our ceilings had fallen on top of our beds!

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