大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Elizabeth Perez of Stockport Libraries on behalf of Jean Siney and has been added to the site with her permission. She fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

At the beginning of the war, all signposts were removed for the duration. It was commonly believed that German parachutists would land and locate their whereabouts by signposts. It was also thought possible that low-flying aircraft would be able to navigate by them.

We decided to keep hens to provide us with fresh eggs - so according to regulations, we surrendered our egg ration for an allocation of chicken meal. This meal was boiled up with vegetables and made a nauseous mash much enjoyed by the hens. Our local supplier for this meal was a store three miles from our house. It was my monthly task to cycle and fetch the meal.

One day in 1942, the supply ran out and the shopkeeper advised me that there might be some to spare in a shop in Chichester, ten miles away. So once more my friend and I set out on our bikes for Chichester, an unknown destination as far as we were concerned. By some miracle we managed to find our way there, obtained the meal and set out for home.

Leaving Chichester we became disorientated and soon were hopelessly lost deep in the countryside. No signposts and no-one to ask. By keeping the spire of the cathedral behind us and the sea to our right, we eventually reached an area we knew. It was a frightening experience for two thirteen year old girls. We must have travelled many more miles than necessary. Tired, thirsty and hungry we eventually reached home only to be scolded by my Mother for taking such a long time.

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