First Air Raid

This story has been written onto the BBC People’s War site by CSV Story gatherer Jessica on behalf of Hilary Wright. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.

This story has been passed on to me by my Mum, Phyllis, who is now 93. My Dad, Harold, died aged 60 in 1970. Mum was a full time house wife and mother to my brother, Bryan, aged 5 yrs at the time.

Dad was a plumber, and had been required to work at our local boat yard, where the Government were constructing Motor Launches for the Navy (M.L.’s). The launches needed ‘copper bottoms’ for protection and Dad’s expertise was employed to fit the copper.

He was also a reserve / retained fireman and was doing this job right throughout the war years. Looe Fire Brigade fought fires during the blitz in Plymouth. Eventually when the air raids became very intense he was to do this full time working in shifts.

Mum recalls the day the first air raid siren sounded. They were standing outside the front of the house, the sound of the siren sent shivers of terror through her body. Dad got ready to dash off to the fire station she said,

“Oh Harold, don’t leave me,”
“Don’t be a silly maid, I’ve got to go, haven’t I?” he replied.

Mum dragged Bryan inside the house and Dad ran off to the fire station. She felt petrified!

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