I was 3 years old when war started so have few memories of what ‘Normal’ life was.  Growing up in war time was the only experience that I had.

Our family arranged evacuation. Short time in Sussex, then with friends in Chesterfield. I picked up local accent so decided to move again. This time to Seend near Devizes.

How my Mother coped I don’t know but she was very resilient throughout the war.

For my brother and I it was just another experience of life; earth closet, water from a pump, oil lights and radio from a large battery. One bath a week in kitchen after laundry finished.

We soon returned to London where ‘make do and mend' was the slogan. Mother was creative in making toys and we never went hungry. Neighbour kept chicken so swapped scrap food for extra eggs.

After tricycle there were no bicycles until age 9 when neighbour passed on second-hand bike.
There were six families in our street so grew up, partied and played together. Lucky to have Big Wood and Little Wood near us. The Heath was limited because of wartime use.

Cars were a rarity but horses were a familiar sight; milkmen; bin men; delivery and removal carts; rag and bone men.

Garden became vegetable plot and Father was a keen allotment holder. Plenty of seasonal produce while our garden had apple, pear and plum trees.

Education could be interrupted, school bombed and air raid warnings. After 4 changes by age 8 then settled at UCS for rest of my schooling.

Anderson shelter in dining room was our protection when siren sounded and 4 of us crammed in together. A few stray bombs and damage from bomb blast.

Became blasé towards end of war and would watch V2 fly over waiting for engine to stop.

VE day was an excuse to join crowds on the Embankment but hard times, shortages and rationing continued for many years.

John Hewett (May 7th 2026)