Members of the Tring Valiant Club share memories
Bob
I lived in Ruislip and you could hear the aircraft coming down to get to Ruislip station, they would then turn to head towards the runway…they never hit the runway, only ever hit the M4! I went into the top class at school that year and they said if the war ends during this year we’ll go to Kew Gardens… and we went!
Beth
I was in the NAAFI, I joined when I was 18 ½ in 1943. On VE Day I was at RAF Dunsford on duty and they put on a big dance at night. We asked if we could go and they said, "yes, if you can find someone to take your place." It was a fantastic feeling that day.
A lot of people stayed on and did not leave until 1946, they had saved my job for me so I went back and carried on.
Shirley
Where I lived in Wales, I used to go on the milk round on the horse and cart. I used to talk to the POWs who were working on the farm nearby.
My Dad was in the Navy and when a plane came over, we had to get under the kitchen table.
Jean
On VE Day, I was about 11 and was in the Aldbury Isolation Hospital with scarlet fever. As people were not allowed in, from school they brought painted eggs to show me through the window.
Joyce
We had two evacuees staying with us, and they cried because they did not want to go home. We were ‘horrible’ and said that you have got to go home! We kept in touch with them and their families all their lives.
June
I remember the bombing and watching the Spitfires going over. When we used to have to go into the Anderson shelter, we were told when the bombing starts, put a cushion on your head!
I was about 14 on VE Day and I was in hospital in Sellyoak with suspected appendicitis.
Mary
My Dad was in the Home Guard. I would be about 6 and if a bomb was coming we would have to get under the table.
Sally
My Grandmother was a fire warden during the war. She told me about going out with her tin hat and stirrup pump when she was on duty, only to find that her Mum was behind her as she didn’t want her to be out on her own!
Shared by Sally Hearn and the members of Tring Valiant Club
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