WWII Experiences (cont) -

Well, we weren't the only ones that were being bombed, there was a bomb that fell on Buckingham Palace (actually I think it was bombed twice during the war years). Then there is the heroic action on September 15, 1940, when Sergeant Holmes was on duty in a Hawker Hurricane fighter when he spotted a damaged Dornier Do17 (German) bomber making an attempt for the palace. In avoidance of machine gun fire, Holmes took a head on run with the Dornier, however upon firing discovered his machine guns failed. Holmes decided to ram the bomber hoping his plane could withstand the impact and cut through it. It proved not to be the case, he cut the tail off the bomber with his wing, causing the bomber to crash, but his Hurricane was badly damaged falling into a dive. He bailed out safely even with injuries. You can read more about Sgt. Holmes and this historical event here.

WWII Experiences (cont) -

Yes, we lived through many nights (and days) of bombings, sometimes to go outside and find a house just down the street from us no longer existed or it was in shambles. We could hear the sounds of the "buzz bombs" and knew that as long as we could hear their motors we were OK but when the sound stopped - better duck for cover! Many times in the middle of the night Daddy would come to get me to take me to the bomb shelter and I would pretend to be asleep (I'm sure he knew better).

At school (Cherry Lane in the town of West Drayton, Middlesex), we were taught to duck under the school desk for cover when the warning siren went off (funny story about that later). We always carried our gas masks in a little canvas bag hung over our shoulder - EVERYONE had one.

During those war years, the British Government took all the available metal from every source possible, including metal gates and fences around homes and even cooking pans and etc. from the kitchens as the metals were needed to make armaments - we were only left with absolute ESSENTIALS.

Yes the "good old days" with no telephones nor TV (until early 1950's), rationing of food and gas (even after the war ended), hardly any one had a car, we all rode our bicycles everywhere. I never realized just how much my parents sacrificed for me until I was older and learned how to bake a cake (no such thing as a cake mix then) and it took TWO eggs and sugar! I remember that our ration of eggs was ONE egg per person per week (I know I didn't go without mine), I don't know what the sugar ration was, (I'm sure it wasn't much) - and yet on my birthday - there was always a BIRTHDAY CAKE!

WW II Experiences (cont)

....yes, one day, there was a bombing raid, and I was home alone (Mummy and Daddy both worked, she at a grocery store and he at Hawker Aircraft [where they made the Hurricane fighter plane]), so like a good little girl I ran into the cupboard under the stairs.....and the door shut behind me! OH NO - I was locked in, as there was no way to open it from inside and WORSE than that - there was no light!

I believe I was only about 5 or 6 at the time and I was so scared! I kept shouting and banging on the door with my hands and of course by butt - until they were so sore and bruised. I'm not sure how long I was in there until Mummy and Daddy came home - Daddy immediately put a different latch on the door, one that could be used to open it from both sides AND a light - but guess what - I never wanted to go in there again!

It was an experience that was to affect me until this day - I still can't stand to be in small or cramped spaces (like elevators) - it's called claustrophobia.