When war was declared in 1939, I was 9 years old and 15 when peace was declared six years later. Identity cards were issued to everyone and we were meant to carry them with us whenever we left home.

Food rationing began in 1942, every man woman and child were issued with food ration books, followed by clothing and furniture rationing. We were all fitted with gas masks. I can remember having gas mask fights with my brother, breaking many filters which had to be replaced.

At school, air raid shelters were built above ground with thick brick floors. Frequently we had evacuation practice where we had to crawl one behind the other through the escape tunnel. Many pairs of stockings were torn and my mother quickly taught me to darn as stockings were only available with clothing coupons. We went to the shelter every time the air raid siren sounded and stayed until the all clear sounded. 

Lessons were continued in the shelters. We had many London evacuees sharing our school which was hard work for the teachers.

Chelmsford, my home town, had many air raids and I remember feeling frightened listening to the bombs dropping. Father build an air raid shelter at the bottom of our garden and we spent many nights there. 

The joy of peace being declared was beyond description - parties and rejoicing that we had all survived. Church bells were ringing again- they were only to be rung during the war if an invasion was imminent.  

War was an experience which I hope my children and grandchildren will never experience.