Interview with Local War Veteran
Amy, Amber, Daniel and Alfie - Southlands Lower School
WW2 Home | The Home Front
- What age were you when war broke out and what was your reaction to this?
I was 18 when war broke out and we did not want it to happen. - Where were you living at this time?
I was living in the London area with my parents, brothers and sisters. - How did you feel when you heard this news?
We were all very upset when we heard the fact that war had broken out. - Did you prepare for war by putting up blackouts and getting a shelter in
your home?
We had already erected an Anderson Shelter in the back garden. Later it would prove valuable as a bomb damaged our house. - How did the clothes at this time differ from today, in their comfort and
appearance?
One thing that was noticeable about now and then is that both men and ladies would not go out without a hat on. Men always wore ties too. - How was your family affected by rationing?
You never saw a banana at all! There were very few sweets as well. Clothes were rationed and many women made their own clothes, and adapted, and repaired the ones the family already had. - Do you know anyone who was evacuated?
My mum, dad, brothers and sisters were evacuated from London. I joined the Royal Air Force. - What was your job when war broke out? And how much was it affected by
the out break of war?
I was working in a large toy factory; in fact, it was the largest in the world at that time. - What did you do during the war?
In the RAF, I travelled and worked as a soldier in many countries; including America, Greece, Italy, Canada, Algeria, Sicily, and Italy. - Do you know anything about how ordinary German people coped at this
time?
We must remember that everyday people in Germany suffered and had just as hard a time as this country. They had rationing as well as us and many children were evacuated there too. - Did any positive things come out of the war?
It was a terrible time for all concerned but perhaps one good thing that came out of it was the alliance between countries in Europe.
WW2 Home | The Home Front
Page last updated: 25th February 2014