Videos tagged with bombing

WW2 Experiences in Lewisham and the differences in pre and post war life

WW2 Experiences in Lewisham and the differences in pre and post war life

In the second part of his interview, John Deal speaks of how him and his wife Reenee met in the aftermath of the Second World War when they were both training to be teachers. John worked as an aircraft fitter throughout WW2 but never left the country. He witnessed a lot of destruction in the Lewisham area due to fires and bombing... John recounts one particular incident when a dormant incediary bomb fell through the roof of his house onto his parents' bed whilst they were there! Carrying on from his first interview, John explains in more detail the differences he has encountered in society and everyday life before, during and after the war...

Evacuation and the aftermath of the Blitz in the City of London

Evacuation and the aftermath of the Blitz in the City of London

Evelyn Jajechnyk was born and raised in the City of London. She was 12 when she was evacuated with her sister to Norfolk and they stayed there for 3 years during the worst of the bombing. In this interview Evelyn recounts some of her childhood war-time experiences... She remembers the huge difference between the busy market street she lived in in London and the idyllic countryside in Norfolk. Upon her return to London after 3 years she was faced with a destroyed London and on her first night back her parents took her to Aldwych tube station to the shelter... Evelyn also recounts one other incident with a molotov cocktail stuck to her roof!

WW2 Experiences of a working-class child in South London

WW2 Experiences of a working-class child in South London

Violet Redmont retells some of her poignant experiences throughout the Second World War. Although she was evacuated several times to Hertfordshire Violet was in South London, in particular the docklands surrounding Rotherhithe, during the some of the worst of the war. The docklands were badly affected by the bombing and Violet remembers a few particular stories of close escapes she and her family encountered... But even though she spent her childhood encountering hard times, Violet looks back on that time in a positive light and considers her family as being very fortunate during the war.

Life as a war-time child; routines, play and evacuation (Part 2)

Life as a war-time child; routines, play and evacuation (Part 2)

In the concluding part of her interview Vera talks about some of the childhood games she and her friends used to play, like 'Knock Down Ginger' and 'Hopscotch', with her least favourite being 'Under the Covers'. Vera tells us about her mother and father, her father worked on the docks and at one time she remembers him bringing her some bananas and her not knowing what to do with them! Children in the area were not particularly well-off and did not have many toys, they made their own entertainment. But she does remember her favourite possession being her beautiful bike… And when she was a bit older, her first pair of nylons!

Life as a war-time child; routines, play and evacuation (Part 1)

Life as a war-time child; routines, play and evacuation (Part 1)

Vera shares some of her childhood memories of growing up during WW2 in Rotherhithe. It was a time of strict rules and regulations. Children went to school and came back, and were never far from their parents. But they still managed to have very imaginative play, making the most of their stark surroundings and even playing with bits of brick and shrapnel… She also recounts her experience of being evacuated with the girl who lived next door, one that she hated. She spent the whole time crying until she was brought back home to be with her mother. She remembers spending every night in the shelter under her block of flats during the worst of the bombing…