大象传媒

Clothes rationing was hard, so we changed buttons etc. A black dress would have different trimmings and sashes. Costume jewellery could be bought from "woollies" for sixpence. It was difficult to be individual.

Shoes were on coupons, so, no coupons no shoes ! Many wore clogs with wooden soles. A friend was given a large piece of leather, she took it to the cobbler who soled shoes with it until it ran out.

Wartime was the first time we had seen nylon stockings, brought home by seafarers. Before the war we bought pure silk stockings from Woolworths for a shilling -- sixpence a leg, because nothing was over sixpence according to their slogan ! After the war we sent to Malta for nylons.

Anyone getting married was helped by donations of coupons from friends and family. A little went a long way in those days.

Owing to water rationing we were told to use only five inches of water in our baths.

Tea was in short supply, but my local grocer always changed my jam or sugar ration for tea.

The Anderson air raid shelters were cold and damp, we shivered with cold
and fright until the all clear went.

Nights were disturbed by bombing raids,explosions, fires and buildings falling.

If a warden stopped you outside to ask for your identitiy number, we repeated it so many times that it is still engraved in my mind !

In the darkness of the blackout, footsteps could be heard and voices shouted "Good night " You answered but never saw their faces, yet no-one was afraid. If you fell over something in the dark, you would remember where it was the next time !

Tram cars had to stop and everyone got out when there was a raid. The conductors had a tiny torch to give tickets and check the money.

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