What the cat got , my first nylons and other recollections

This story has been added to the People’s War website by Jenny Burnett on behalf of Violet Stack. Violet has given her permission and understands the sites terms and conditions.

My husband was in America during the war and sent good food parcels. Once there was a tin of salmon, so for a Sunday treat we laid the table with a nice white cloth and put out the salmon and some beetroot. Then the air raid sirens went off. We were all ready to go down to the shelter (at the bottom of the garden) but our old neighbour, Ada, wouldn’t come without her hat! “Wait a minute, I haven’t got my hat” — at last she came out.

The shelter was comfortable — an Anderson shelter with two bunks, electric light, a radio and a rug on the floor. Finally we heard the “all clear” and trooped out to have our tea. The salmon had gone and there were beetroot paw prints all over the white cloth — that’s how I found out that the cat liked beetroot! The best of it was that we’d laid it out all posh that day with the nice white cloth…..

I went to Bournemouth with my sister to stay at our Aunty Annie’s and look after her chickens as she was away on holiday. The following morning I was mixing up their food — potato rinds, bran, any bits of food we could find — I turned around and saw an American soldier coming up the path. He was black as the ace of spades. “Please could you tell me the way to way to Boscomby?” “You mean Boscombe” — as I turned to show him the way I caught my lisle stockings — I think I swore as said they were my only pair. He said he’d get me another pair, and the next day the bell rings, I answer the door and who should be there but the same soldier looking very smart in his uniform. He handed me a little parcel — they were lovely stockings, a black seam and a little diamond at the bottom. They were so fine and delicate that I only wore them twice. My very first pair of nylon stockings — I still have them! Still perfect and in their original packaging.

Mother had seven children — I was number 4. We were very fortunate, we had a really good dining table — it came from one of the ships. The sirens went off and as our shelter was too small, Mum said, “Get down under the table” Dad came in and had a laugh “look at you lot with your arses in the air!”

We lived in Stanley Road. This particular night I wasn’t very well, and my sister came to look after me. Whale Island (an area of Portsmouth) was being evacuated — it was so dark, about 2 in the morning. It was then the French fleet (some in the harbour) was capitulating.

A neighbour said to me very indignantly “why aren’t you working?” I didn’t say anything but I thought “I’m doing my bit for the country, you’ll find out as time goes on!” I was expecting my daughter….

One time a Maori band came down the street — some in costume, some in sailor’s uniform. They were bringing a Totem Pole to Whale Island — I think it’s still there One went up to me neighbour and put his tongue out — she was frightened as she was a timid lady But it was just their way of greeting.

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