大象传媒

This story has been submitted to The People's War website by Liz Andrew of the Lancshomeguard on behalf of Brenda Mollart and added to the site with her permission.

I was only four when War broke out and I was quite a handful. I wasn't the youngest - I had a two year old brother and a newborn baby sister. On one occasion, I remember my dad was out fire watching when the Air Raid sirens went off and my mum had to gather up her four children and take them to safety by herself. The Air Raid shelter was in a cellar underneath The Brunswick Methodist Church and the only way to get there was down some twisting, spiral steps. It was very cold down there and damp - but at least you felt safe.

There was a great panic to take us to the shelter but my mother couldn't find me. Finally she said, " Let's get all the other children into the shelter." But when they arrived she was astonished to find me there already, fast asleep in my chair. (We all had our own chairs and sometimes beds in the shelter).

Mum woke me up and asked me how I had got there and I replied, " Dad must have brought me." But in reality I had sleepwalked. My father had been out firewatching and had not brought me at all. I must have left the house, entered the church, come down the twisting steps and chosen my own chair all while I was fast asleep!

We lived on Upper Gloucester Street and there was a railway line directly behind us - but we were lucky because it was never hit. The worst we ever had was broken windows.

I remember VE day. I was ten years old and we had a street party. There was Jelly and Ice Cream and loads of little cakes and sandwiches. I have no idea where it all came from - but there was plenty.

I remember Dad taking us to the end of the road and watching all the lights come on and everyone sang, " When the lights go on again," - It was lovely.

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