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My mother worked on the munitions at Basford in the old Barlock typewriters building and I can remember her going off to work at about seven in the morning and not getting back until teatime at about six o’clock. That was five days a week and on Saturday she’d do her washing then ironing on a Sunday, it was hard for her. I used to stay with my grandmother when my mother was working.

I can also remember when my dad used to come home on leave as I used to sleep with my mother in her bed and I’d wake up and smell Wills woodbine which is what my father smoked. That’s how I knew he was home. I can also remember walking home in the blackout and an ARP warden would knock on your window if there was a chink of light showing through.

I can also remember my aunt used to die her legs with tea water and I used to have to draw the line down the back with an eyebrow pencil and I was only about five or six years old at the time. I’d get in real trouble if I didn’t get it right!

This story was submitted to the people's war website by Liz Goddard on behalf of Mrs Simmons and she fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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