大象传媒

My name is Bob Hooper I lived in Mansfield Close Edmonton N9 during the war years I am the youngest member of my family. I went to St Edmonds Catholic school in Edmonton. I am the only surviving member of my brothers and sister.
I was nine years old when WW2 broke out. I was evacuated twice, once to Witham in Essex, and and then to Sulgrave in Northampton shire. I remember well practically everyone in our cul-de sac. I have three sons and nine grandchildren. I thank my lucky stars.

I suppose my first memories of WW2 as a child was an awareness that something very serious was about to happen, the year was nineteen thirty nine,I could see the serious looks my parents exchanged when the news was broadcast on the radio and the concerns they voiced concerning our family. I was the youngest of four children, I was Nine my sister was thirteen and my two brothers were sixteen and eighteen respectively.Harry the eldest was already in the army serving in the Queens royal regiment he was abroad involved in policing the arab and jewish problem. I remember feeling afraid when I heard my parents dicussing how the war would affect our family, they said My other brother Arthur would probably be called up,depending how long the War lasted. My Father had served as a machine gunner in the first world war and had been wounded twice so he was fearful for my brothers. We lived in Edmonton in North London in a new council house and we were a very happy working class family,but little did we know how our lives would change in the future.
As was the mway in those days children were seen and not heard, so my knowledge of what was happening was gained from what I could over hear from anyone who was discussing the news. War was declared in September nine thirty nine, every person had to report to a nominated centre to be fitted with a Gasmask and were shown how to use it,I found it difficult to breathe but decided that it was supposed to be like that.
The following weeks were taken up with people preparing for what was to come,some said it would not last long others prepared for a siege.
Food rationing was bought into being and every person was issued with a ration book of coupons for essential goods,ie food, clothes,and even sweets.
Each coupon represented a quantity of goods,the food although bland was nutritious once you had used your coupons for the week you could obtain no more goods, which was the ideal conditions for what was known as the Black market. I often wondered where the Spivs (Black Marketeers)obtained their supplies, if they were caught by the police they were sent to prison.