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At first my greatest terror was my gas mask — I hated the claustrophobic feel of the rubber over my face. The next horrors were the air-raid shelters under the school playing fields — cold and dark and smelling of damp earth. We were lucky in North Staffordshire — I don’t remember them being used very often. We had a lot of air-raid warnings, but mostly the aircraft passed overhead on their way to bigger cities. Most sirens went at night and as we grew more used to them I pleaded to be left in bed rather than having to huddle under the stairs!
We all knitted balaclava helmets and scarves for the troops — not always with great skill! I still remember my mother rolling bandages with friends and later helping with the Toc H canteen. With none of my immediate family in the Forces, and in spite of the hush around the “wireless” it was all rather unreal.

Soon our spare room was requisitioned, firstly for a naval officer who we came to care for and were devasted when we heard of his death some years later. Two young army officers who were great fun followed him, and then woefully they were replaced by a staid —and to my young eyes — a very dull bank manager!

The food rationing must have caused great problems for the housewives, but I cannot honestly remember any deprivation — though I do remember that any tinned fruit that came our way had to be saved for visitors! Small, dark throat lozenges called Negroids replaced sweets! — These could be bought from the chemist without “ coupons”. Windows were all obscured by black curtains and blinds and criss-crossed by sticky paper tape to reduce the danger of flying glass. Signs on the buses said “coughs and sneezes spread diseases —trap the germs in a handkerchief” while another “Don’t start out till after 10, be back by 4 — war workers must be carried if we mean to win the war!” We actually mostly walked to and from school though forbidden to take the short cuts through the “ park” in case we met dangerous young men. The more ‘sophisticated’ girls tanned their legs and wore lipstick provided by the Americans who were later stationed locally — these girls were considered ‘ fast’ though regarded with awed fascination! We had relations who lived in the country and on visits smuggled eggs, chicken and butter to us… 4 ozs of the latter lasted for many a meal! For health reasons my father was given a petrol ration to drive to and from work, the shortest route was carefully chosen, without deviation as private cars could be checked at any time.
The cinema played a big part in our social life — who can forget such films as “Mrs. Miniver”, “The Way to the Stars” and “In which we serve”. Other social highlights were dances in the tennis pavilion — home by 9 p.m. and countless games of tennis. The local bus shelter was our meeting place because it had a slight amount of illumination, and no one felt threatened by a group of teenagers gathered there…
Parents enforced strict curfews and no one dreamed of disobeying! BUT on VE night all restrictions were removed and life was one great party

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