大象传媒

Although currently an inhabitant of Rothbury, Mrs Burdon spent her childhood in the Scotswood area of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Scotswood bristled with factories related to the war-effort and represented a prime target for Luftwaffe bombing raids. Consequently, at the age of four, Aileen was evacuated to Penrith and housed at a farm. During her enforced time at Penrith she had no contact with her parents in Newcaslte and it transpired that her "foster mother" had withheld clothing which had been sent for her, and diverted it to her own daughter.

She returned to Tyneside and was ironically just in time for the Newcastle Blitz in 1941. Aileen recollected a particular event which illustrates the over-zealous conduct of some ARP personnel. Bearing in mind that blackout regulations restricted outside lighting of any kind, it was to be expected that travel, including walking, could be very dangerous. Her father used a shaded hand-torch but still fell foul of the law, since the torch's glimmer was seen as a potential aid to enemy targeting! A fine of 拢14 was imposed (at least 拢500 in current terms). Her mother was obliged to work to pay the fine and was employed in the hazardous, unhealthy production of munitions.

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