大象传媒

1939 was a scary time for a 13 year old !! When war was declared we didn`t realise how serious it really was. We were plunged into darkness, heard sirens going and many other strange noises. I was finishing my school life but can remember when the sirens went, sitting in a very cold air raid shelter thinking that it was the end of everything. When I left school I started to work in a Small Arms factory and went on a course for shorthand/typing paid for by the Country. I enjoyed it very much for going into Liverpool on the train was a novelty. By this time everybody had to carry a gas mask. If you were found without it there was trouble !! While we were typing we had to put the gas masks on for 1 hour. This became funny when the eye piece became steamed up but it was good practice for touch typing.
During the war when most things were rationed you had to queue up for everything. My Mother said that when in Liverpool and you saw a queue in the shops - get in it. You did not know what was for sale so it came as a surprise to me when one day I ended up with a dressing table set.
My Father and his two brothers went to war. When we said goodbye we did not know if we would see them again. We were very fortunate for they all returned. The great sadness was hearing the bombs exploding in Liverpool every night. We lived in the country so things were not so bad. Working in a factory was an experience I never want to see again. When I see the programme `Dad`s Army` I have to smile for this really went on. Local men marching down the street with spades, brushes and garden forks on their shoulders. My Mother used to ask "These people are going to save us ??"
As I was getting older I went to Chester a lot where I met my future husband. He joined the army and was in the D Day landing. Thank goodness he came back.
When our troops were forced to leave Europe it was a sorry sight to see many ambulances passing our home filled with wounded men. This is when we realised that things were very serious. My Mother told us that things could be very bad for us and we all had to be brave. Thank Goodness it never happened, thanks to the many who gave their lives to save us.

The ration allowance was for clothes,food and furniture.
Food ration per week was - 1 egg 3oz sugar 4oz bacon 2oz butter 3oz cheese
A starvation diet !!

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