This year was going to be special for me. The figure eight car racing set that I want, is going to be mine after we finish our day. Mum promised I could have it this year, after I cleared up around the barrow. I was eager to set off to the toy shop that sold them. Mum left me outside while she went inside to get it. I saw her talking to the shop assistant and knew there and then, there wouldn't be any car set. It seemed they had sold out.
But then I should have known better. I'd never had a present before, just an apple, orange and a few nuts in a stocking. I don't recall ever getting a Christmas gift or a birthday present either; but I did want that racing set.
* * * * *
When the new year started there was talk of war with Germany. A man by the name of Adolf Hitler was going to conquer the world - not that us kids understood it all. We carried on playing our games, and going to school. Until we heard on the radio that Britain had declared war on Germany.
Everything went fast from then. We had to go and get our gas mask, be shown how to fit it, and told we had to have it with us at all times. It fitted into a cardboard box with a string to hang it around our neck. Next thing our parents had to register for ration books, so things were going to be scarce very soon. Even sweets were rationed!
I can't remember how much we were allowed. All I know is that I gave them up for a long while - I guess I was sweet enough!
Two sweets, I do recall, were Spanish wood and a farthing gob stopper. They lasted for hours.
Next came the air raid drill. If the siren sounded we had to make our way to the cloak room. During the length of the raids we could never work out why it was safer there than anywhere else in the school. Also, if the siren went on our way to school, and if we were nearer home, we were told to go back, so they always sounded nearer home of course! But that was later.
The authorities informed all parents that school children would be evacuated if they wanted to be. This sounded like fun to my brothers and me, so we put our names down on a list to go. Some time later the school sent home notes with instructions for our big adventure.
We had to pack a bag with our clothes, then we were taken to the railway station, and formed groups of each school, until departure time. We all had a label tied to our lapel with our name and address, in case we forgot who we were! We got on the train, I think a bit upset as we had never been away from home before, not even on holiday.
...to be continued
Flip
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