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This story was submitted to the People's War site by Bridie Wright of Wakefield Libraries and Information Services on behalf of Brian Downing and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
I was eight years old when the war started and I remember it being announced on the wireless. I remember how the iron railings around the school and the gardens were cut down, and that I went to fill sandbags behind the town hall to place in front of the windows for protection. We had a boy evacuee from London to stay with us. Food was very sparse. I remember “Pom”, mashed potatoes and dried eggs.
Tanks were made at Charles Roberts’ down at Horbury Junction, and when completed they would come up the road, breaking many of the kerb edges and making a deafening noise.
The school playground was dug up to make an air raid shelter. We also had a shelter in the back garden, which used to fill up with water, so we had to go to Auntie’s house because she had a deep cellar. I also remember the bombs dropping on Thornes Road and Manorfields. Incendiary bombs were dropped on our back garden and we collected them the morning after. I remember the VE Day celebrations outside the Town Hall in Horbury.

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