Coping With War

After a while the government realized that the population would need gas masks, in case the enemy used poisoned gas, so everybody of every size, was fitted with a gas mask, and a cardboard box with a shoulder length strap,to carry it at all times... just in case.

Later at school, we had to do gas mask tests to make sure it would inhale and exhale properly. This was fun. Each person was given a square of blotting paper to put under their mask. If the mask was functioning properly it sucked the paper up upon inhalation. The fun part came when we breathed out and the rubber vent slots vibrated with a blubbering noise! You can imagine that with a class full of children it became quite chaotic and lively, as we were happy to do lots of practicing!

Each family was expected to volunteer an adult for air-raid warden duty. My father did this duty at work near London, so he had a small car and a minimal petrol ration for his journeys. A warden would wear a tin hat for protection, and carry a torch (flashlight). He was responsible to check that the blackout was complete, and help in case of an air raid in his area

During the progress of the war we became radio news junkies, because every few hours each day something of life and death importance was happening on various fronts; by sea, in the air, on land, in the jungles, or deserts... and all involving loved ones.

My sister Jean had to go away to join the W.R.A.F and work on an airfield. Later my older brother Alf was called up in the army at age 17 1/2 years, and served in North Africa at Tripoli, and then he was dug in the trenches at Anzio beachead in Italy. Unfortunately in those tempestuous times, he became addicted to alcohol,which eventually ruined his life. Finally my other brother John insisted on signing up for air crew at the age of 17 years. He was put into training as a navigator/rear gunner for bombers. Rear gunners were notoriously known to be the most vulnerable crew member, so our parents were very worried about that. Fortunately for him (and all the family), just as he was ready to fly on missions, the war ended! Instead, they used him in Germany to develop and enlarge photos of bombed German cities such as Berlin and Hamburg in order to evaluate needs and plans for the future.

Meanwhile, I became an only child at home, but was hardly spoiled in those austere days.