WW2 Childhood

As a 5 year old at the outbreak of WW2 I can vividly remember being plucked from my bed by my mother when the air raid siren sounded and hastily carried down the stone steps of next door's cellar to the sound of shrapnel falling on tiles. Aircraft machine gun staccato overhead with searchlights panning the night sky.My family used next door's cellar as our cellar was utilized by "The Pig Club" and this meant that the cellar was stocked with sides of bacon and ham placed on raised brick shelves around the walls.The members of this club would every few days rub saltpetre into the meat in preparation to cure it for eating.During the war with meat rationed these "Pig clubs" were set up under the auspices of the goverment,the idea being that the members would pay for the pigs which were slaughtered and the Ministry of Food ,as it was then, stipulated that the member was only allowed to keep half of the pig the other half was paid for by the Ministry to go to the nation's meat supply.
Most items were rationed. There were few goods in the shops so consequently everyone was watching out for scarce items so they could hurry on down to a particular shop to join the queue.Most shops had what was termed as "Under the counter items" which were items just kept for regular customers
The local chippie was very popular but was often closed as supplies of fish and potatoes were hard to maintain.Chips then cost 3d(1.2pence)and fish cost 6d (2.5p).
At our house we had a table shelter in the kitchen. This was a large table made from steel plate, the idea being that a family could take refuge underneath the table during an air raid. These tables were capable of taking the weight of a house if it collapsed. When not in use it was used for playing table tennis on.
At this time some children were being evacuated because of bombing by the enemy. I remember my parents discussing whether or not to send their children to America. They soon decided against this as shortly afterwards they heard on the wireless that a U boat had torpedeod a ship transporting children away from Britain.
Everyone listened to the wireless as it was the only entertainment. We listened to the Home service incorporating the special forces programme which later became the Light programme. There were programmes such as ITMA with Tommy Handley and the familiar voice of the Radio Doctor giving advice on health matters. Mr Middleton giving advice on gardening and Desert Island Discs. The very same one as on the radio today. Vera Lyn, the forces sweethear, was often on singing one of her then famous WW2 songs and commenting on events. After the 9 o'clock evening news, was J.B.Priestley in "postscripts".
The wireless was a large wooden box with a means of changing the wavelength - this was known as the "cats whisker" and inside the wireless was an accumulator which had to be removed from time to time for the purpose of recharging it. The programmes were quite good even by modern standards and there was plenty of variety. Artists such as Al Jolson, Glen Miller, Ivy Benson's All Girl Band, George Formby, The Andrews Sisters, The Ink Spots and Gracie Fields being very popular. Also featured were comedians such as Rob Wilton who started his act with "The day war broke out...". Another was Arthur Askey whose catch phrase was "Hello Playmates". Also Albert Modley whose catch phrase was "I won't take my coat off I'm not staying". Then there was Cyril Fletcher whose speciality was humerous rhymes which he called "odd odes". Also Max Miller who was known as "The Cheeky Chappie", Max Wall, Ken Platt, Tommy Trinder, Norman Evans and Cardew "The Cad" Robinson. Elsie and Doris Waters alias Gert and Daisy were extremely popular at this time. Of course the indomitable ukele playing Lancashire comedian George Formby was often on the wireless as he was a kind of pop idol/film star of the day. Generally the wireless programmes were of a good standard. There were plays and topics, and even football commentaries, as a soccer war time league was in operation.
My parents enjoyed listening to Sunday Half Hour (20.30 - 21.00 hrs) so they could enjoy the singing of the hymns. This was preceded by the Palm Court Orchestra from Torquay (19.30 - 20.30hrs). After these two programmes it was bedtime for me.
Life in those days certainly revolved around the wireless programmes. A similar situation to our Television today.
Nearly everyone listened to ITMA which stood for "Its That Man Again" which starred Tommy Handley in a variety sketch which featured several characters noted for their catch phrases. One of these was Mrs Mopp, who was the char lady with a catch phrase of "can I do you now sir". Another character was Colonel Chinstrap, an alcoholic whose reply to anyone who mentioned any word resembling beer was "A glass of beer, sir, I don't mind if I do". Another feature in the show was a chant to the jungle tom-toms by the natives- one of which was "Down in the jungle chanting every day you can hear the natives all say - We no queue for bananas here - Shall we tell the white man? - No fear". Another catch phrase from the show was - "Don't forget the Diver".
Other popular wireless programms were Reginald Dixon from the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool; Old Mother Riley with Kitty McShane; Over the Garden Wall with Norman Evans; The Plumbs; Mrs Dale's Diary; In Town tonight, which started with London traffic noises and a woman flower seller calling "Violets, lovely violets". Harry Hemsley had a family programme which featured 3 children, the youngest being Horace and when this young man spoke the father would say to the other 2 children "What did Horace say?" and yet another catch phrase was born.
For the children there programs such as Uncle Mac; Toy Town with Larry the Lamb and the Ovaltinies.
The kids spent a lot of time re-enacting the cowboy and indian exploits we had witnessed at the local cinema. We had toy cap guns which made a loud bang. We also made bows and arows and catapults which in hindsight were very dangerous. Kite flying was another popular pastime. Making our own kites out of sticks and newspaper. Although it may seem strange, seeing a football being kicked around was very rare. Perhaps it was due to the fact that caseballs, as they were called then, were not easily come by as they were quite expensive to buy.
Another popular pastime for kids was playing marbles. Of course there was still conkers which is still played by children today. Skipping was played by the girls, either singly or collectively. Collecting cigarette cards was also very popular and if you saw an adult smoking it was normal to ask if you could have the picture from their cigarette packet. Another popular game was Jacks. This being played with 5 small steel objects, each having 5 blund prongs. They were held in one hand and then one or more were thrown into the air and the remainder scooped up. Fire cans was also a favourite game with the kids. To do this a number were punched into a large empty tin can. A length of wire was threaded through holes near to the top of the can to enable the can to be swung in a circular fashion around the head. Then some old rag was put into the cans and set smouldering with a match. Of course as soon as the extra oxygen got into the smouldering rags they would burn rapidly with a roaring sound.
During these was years people were discouraged from travelling so the local Urban District Council organised "Stay at Home Holidays". This took place during 2 weeks in Summer on the local recreation ground. A covered stage and seating area was erected and a lot of local talent was on display. There were side shows, beer and sandwich tents and a small Pat Collins type fair complete with carousel and swing boats etc.
Comic football matches were organised as well as Tug-o-war competitions. Athletic events took place for modest prize money. One event which was very popular, particularly with the children, was base ball matches (there was an American Base not too far away so the kids got plenty of free chewing gum from the American servicemen). The local kids got used to approaching a GI and saying "have you got any gum, chum" - and so another catchphrase was born.
November 5th was not celebrated as we now know it as causing any light after dark was illegal. What we did have were indoor fireworks. These were a collection of harmless novelties. For example a piece of paper which was ignited by a lighted cigarette which singed out a pattern in the paper. Also you could put a small wad of paper into a dish of water and it would unfold to form a flower or animal shape. Also there were special sparklers for indoors and cascades which had to be placed into a saucer of water before lighting.
In spite of the times, everbody was much happier. There were very few that you could call wealthy. Most people were working class - not very well off by today's standards but it was safe to leave your house doors unlocked and there were no drugs, muggings or molestings and children could play safely out in the streets.

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