大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by a volunteer from Lancs Home Guard on behalf of Mrs Wilkinson and has been added to the site with her permission. Mrs Wilkinson fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I lived at the bottom of Coal Clough Lane when war broke out. I was 29 years old, my husband was 31 years old - he worked building parts for the bombers so he wasn't called up. He was in the Home Guard.

I was a weaver at Stanfields in Ryland Street, working shifts. As war was declared I was in bed after having a miscarriage. I had to stay in bed for 2 weeks and shouted downstairs to my husband to remind him to shut the blinds. We dyed the cotton for the blackout curtains at Stansfield. I already had a son, he was born in 1935.

I did my shopping on Coal Clough Lane at the Co-op and the butcher's. Victor's auntie used to give us extra food. I was frightened of using all my rations and not having enough to eat. The house was rented and was too small for us to take evacuees.

My family was large and I helped out. My father worked at the cemetery, my brothers worked down the pit, therefore none were called up.

I was relieved when the war ended - we had moved to Sandygate by this time, but I can't remember having a party or anything, Some neighbours had falgs but we didn't

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.