大象传媒

The 1939-1945 war brought many changes to our lives.

I had known my fiance George since i was 14 years old. When the conscription came in, he had to join the army. He was only 19 years old. I was very worried about him but i knew he had to go and fight. He gave me a keepsake, which i still have.

I had to go and work at Rolls Royce on a Turret Lathe, which was for turning Rockers (a part of an aircraft). We had to work very hard, because we knew that we were doing something for the war and also for the airmen. Many times the Sirens would go and we would have to go down the shelters.

We had things placed around all the streets which were called smoke screens. The soldiers had to come and light them when the sirens had gone.

I remember one night i had been Roller Skating and was coming home from the other side of town.The sirens had gone and there were aircraft flying over. I had to take shelter with other people. When it had gone quieter, i started to walk home. I remember seeing shop windows were blown out, doors blown off, tiles blown off the roofs but all i could think about was getting home to my family.

When i did arrive home, my family and neighbours were down the shelter and my mother was so pleased to see me. I told her about all the shops and houses i had seen and then she told me about four bombs that had been dropped just up the road.

Later that night we found out that four of our neighbours had been killed. All this had happened because a smoke screen had set on fire near the Arbouretum.

As for the rationing. We had to make up lots of different meals because the food was rationed but we never went hungry.

We made tablecloths out of flour bags and did a bit of embroidery on them to make them look nice. We also made blouses, underskirts and nightdresses out of parachute material, because of the clothes coupons. We couldnt have many sweets because they were rationed as well. Mother would break a jelly into cubes and give us one each, it was nearly as nice as a sweet!

Sadly I found out that George had died at Dunkirk, i was heartbroken.

The war was a dreadful thing, but it brought people together and most people would help each other if they could.

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