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We went on shift work, as the numbers escalated, and it was heartening to see the U.K. box filling up and the European one dwindling.
In 1940, men who were called up into the Air Force, were billeted in Hastings in the large hotels, and we used to watch them drilling on the sea front. One of the men I met, was very attentive and was always buying me flowers, and we became engaged. He was also the cook at one of the hotels, where the airmen were housed. As it was impossible for the quarter master to keep track of all supplies, we also had our rations improved by small additions of sugar and butter, when Johnny appeared. I must make it clear that there was no ultimate reason for my engagement, it wasn鈥檛 cupboard love, I really loved the man. However, he was posted to Torquay, and suggested that we move and open a small hotel, and he would augment the rations. We didn鈥檛 think much of this idea, and after he left, the letters became less and less and eventually he married someone else. He was a very good singer, and claimed to have sang with several well known bands. He used to sing 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to set the world on fire鈥�. I often wonder if he did. However he did leave me with a lovely diamond ring, which I still have. At this point, I decided that I would pursue a career as a dress designer, have a flat in London, and really enjoy myself, by myself.
In July 1940, we experienced our first bombs in Hastings, with the dropping of 11 High explosives, and this continued throughout
the year. It was quite surprising how one adapted to a new way of life. When the warnings sounded, we went to a shelter if we were near one, or under the stairs if we were at home, and just waited, or played board games if available. After a while, we became rather fatalistic. If the bombs didn鈥檛 fall, we assumed the planes would be going to London, so we could do an hour鈥檚 work, before they returned on their way back to France. If they were successful, they just went overhead, but if they had not been able to penetrate the balloon barrage and ring of ack-ack guns round London, they would drop their bombs on us. It was always wait and see.
There was at the same time, an escalation of the bombing by our bombers and Berlin was raided as a retaliation. We also got used to seeing dog fights in the sky, when the fighters met, and in September, 195 German planes were shot down.
During the last few months of 1940, events moved very quickly, the Italians, moved into Egypt, and British troops inflicted heavy losses. Rumania was invaded and later Greece, and the war zones continued to spread. There was the terrible bombing of Coventry and Birmingham. and we continued to bomb Berlin and Hamburg.
The War in the Western Desert in North Africa accelerated with the RAF bombing the Italians, before the land forces attacked.
The news from America, was that we gave them USA bases in the Atlantic and Caribbean in exchange for 50 oldish destroyers. In March of the following year, we had the Lease-lend agreement, under which we could use American equipment, and only pay after the war. (I wonder, if we ever paid ?)
On the home front, there was a shortage of milk, and we were told there would be no more bananas. However, with the event of Christmas, we were given extra rations. 4 ounces of sugar and 2 ounces of tea.
The year ended with over 10,000 fire bombs dropped in London, and we could only imagine the crowds of people who would be sleeping that night on the platforms of the Underground
In 1941, I was dancing as usual, in the White Rock Pavilion, when I met Eric in the Paul Jones. This was a dance, where men formed a circle facing outwards, and the women formed a circle looking inward. The two rings moved in opposite directions, when the music played, and then when it stopped, one was expected to dance with the person opposite. Naturally, there was some edging and pushing, if you saw someone you fancied. I really fancied this soldier, who was very smart and well turned out. We managed to get together and had a dance. When the music stopped again, the circles reformed, and we changed partners again. However, we started going out together, but we could only meet at week ends, and it did not give you much chance to really get to know each other. Another thing which was different, was the fact that as the streets were all in darkness, and the pavements dotted with concrete blocks to stop the enemy tanks, (when they came,) I used to walk Eric back to the truck which had brought him into Hastings from Heathfield, where he was stationed, and then walk home on my own.
We got engaged, although we didn鈥檛 talk about getting married, as the future was so very uncertain, and Eric was moved to South Cave, in Yorkshire.
It seemed so very unreal, and when the Canadians came to Hastings, I began to meet so many different people and had the opportunity go out and about with them, that I became confused as to my feelings and returned the ring to Eric as I wanted to feel free, to lead my social life.
One Canadian I went out with was named Murphy, and he was the driver for the Colonel. This meant that we always rode in style, and the neighbours became used to seeing this huge car outside of our house. One day we were going through the village where he was stationed, and a suddenly we heard a shout of 鈥淢urphy.鈥� The Colonel himself ! All I could do was to go under the car rug, and crouch on the floor next to the driver. The Colonel wanted to visit a British major and we drove for miles. Why is it, that in that sort of situation, one wants to sneeze? Luckily, I manage to keep silent, and as soon as the Colonel left the car, Murphy ran me to the nearest station.
Many of the troops were billeted in large houses, and it was terrible to see how many of the beautiful staircases were ripped out and burnt for firewood.

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