- Contributed byÌý
- Civic Centre, Bedford
- People in story:Ìý
- Nora
- Location of story:Ìý
- Bedford
- Background to story:Ìý
- Civilian
- Article ID:Ìý
- A2725256
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 09 June 2004
I worked in an engineering plant in Bedford. In my spare time, I was an ARP warden. I would go and watch for the red and purple lights. I think red mean that they were overhead. I remember seeing the planes go on the raids to Coventry.
I remember one time watching a bomber fly up the road. I fully expected hi to turn the corner and bomb my house. At the end of our road there was a ditch, and our neighbours used to hide in this ditch during raids, with all their valuables. This particular bomber didn’t turn to my house, but dropped his incendiaries onto the ditch. I don’t know how much stuff they lost; it was part of life and you didn’t ask really.
My son was born in 1945, and I remember being issued with one of the all encompassing baby gas masks. Fortunately we never had to use it.
I also remember that when you were pregnant you got an extra pint of milk on the ration. All the neighbours used to know what was going on, by seeing who got how much!
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