ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

My childhood was spent in Stockport, Cheshire, which is now part of Greater Manchester.
In 1942, aged 10 years, I lived with my parents in a large Edwardian semi-detached house, in Dialstone Lane.
As many people of my generation will remember, Manchester was the target of many bombing raids during this period of the war. Our house had a very large cellar, and this is where we, my parents,sister & brothers, took shelter during the many air raids.
My parents managed to keep to themselves, what fears they had for our welfare. Indeed, the many nights spent in the cellar, became more party like, and we became oblivious to the danger that was around us. I remember home made ginger beer, flasks of tea, sandwiches, and most of all, everyone singing!
I had a mature soprano voice, and I just loved to sing for anyone that would care to listen. It seems that most of my time was spent listening to songs on the radio, and memorising them. Before long, people were asking me to sing at events, such as weddings, and small concerts. I soon became known as "The Girl with the Golden Voice".
This was also the time when Russia was having a hard time on the battle fields, fighting the Germans, and were in need of new tanks. A member of Stockport Council came up with the idea of forming a children's concert party to help raise funds. I was asked to join along with about seven others. A Mr.Wally Baker, an impressario, came along to put the show together. We were to become known as "The Wally Baker's Kiddies Concert Party". We were collected from school three days each week, around 11.30 a.m, and transported to the munitions factories around Manchester. We entertained the workers during their dinner hour with our various talents. Our show closed with us all singing, "Tanks, Tanks, Tanks, we want for victory, Tanks, Tanks, Tanks, to win the war". Buckets were then passed around the workers to give money for the cause.
Before we returned home, we were given dinner, and a pudding. This was the highlight of the day for me, as food was in short supply, this was a great opportunity to indulge.
I believe that this little band of entertainers raised quite a large amount of money, and I would like to think that in our own small way, that we contributed to the war effort.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.