VAL BLAKE

I was just a schoolgirl of 12 yrs in September 1939 and living in Leven. A very vivid memory I have is whilst out brambling with my Mother seeing the fighter aircraft attacking the planes that were bombing R.A.F. Driffield. On another occasion there were masses of incendiary bombs dropped on Leven and my Father as an Air Raid Warden was engaged many times looking for land mines.

I know food was rationed as I remember my Mother making pastry with the help of liquid paraffin but we were very well looked after. My Father had his garden for vegetables and we had a pig as well as chickens. There was always a wonderful welcome when we ran in from school with a good fire and with tea on the table.

One incident in particular I remember was "Lord Haw Haw" broadcasting from Germany. He mentioned the names of Willy Tripp and the R.A.F. son of Mr. Taylor the Schoolmaster, both of whom had been reported missing, saying they were now prisoners. There was great excitement and rejoicing over this.

 

Looking back, I think we were very lucky with our loving family life at this time.