大象传媒

Betty Whight spent the war in Ipswich town centre, living close to the football ground in Portman Road.

It was a busy area at that time with a drill hall where men came to sign up. There was a line of guns that were often fired when the air raid siren went off. Betty says they 'weathered' the war; she herself was more scared of thunder than she was of the firing.

Five months pregnant with her son, Betty walked down to Ipswich's Cornhill where there was bunting, music and dancing. Betty says much of the crowd was made up of military personnel, although the Americans Betty had been used to mixing with had all left for the Far East. A drunk sailor even offered to marry Betty.

In contrast to the events on the Cornhill in the town centre, Betty's mum was at home. She told Betty that despite the celebrations it was a sad time for many, remembering that their loved ones wouldn't be coming home.

Image: Betty Whight