1941 was the year that France fell, and later we had the miracle of Dunkirk, when 338,000 troops were rescued from the beaches by all manner of craft. Anything that could get across the Channel, little peacetime pleasure boats, were all pressed into service. We could only see it on the newsreels or in the papers, but it was a wonderful feat, and in retrospect it was even more remarkable.
We did all begin to wonder about the possibility of defeat, and invasion by the Germans was faced as a likely happening. Church bells were silenced, and, it was ominously announced that they would only ring, in the event of ‘the enemy landing on our shores.’ It has to be said that when Winston Churchill took over from Neville Chamberlain he did a lot for morale, and was certainly the right man for that period in our history.
The Local Defence Volounteers were formed; later to be called the Home Guard. Stan was in this until he was called up in 19.42. We have all enjoyed the affectionate fun of ‘Dads Army’ on television, but they were really deadly serious at the time. Dad was in the Civil Defence and had a navy blue uniform. There was also ‘fire watching’ all areas had fire watch rota and Incendiary bombs were a terrible menace, particularly in raids on the large towns.
Clothing coupons were introduced and household textiles were included in the rationing. ‘Utility’ became a symbol of drab, minimal standard of almost everything. In the spring, a friend, Mrs. Young was in the garden with mum. They looked at the gooseberry bushes, and Mrs. Young said, “Oh I do so love gooseberries. “Well” said mum, “It looks as though there is going to be a good crop this year, they are just forming, but I shall not be able to use them they need so much sugar.” “Could I have them, then?” Said Mrs. Young, “I could manage some sugar, as we don’t take it in drinks”, she had four children. “What could I give you?” she said to mum. “I know, would you like a book of clothing coupons?” Well of course mum thought this a wonderful swap, as visions of going to Crewe market arose. The stallholders seemed to have a small quantity of material for sale, and when you had bought some and given your coupons, they often found a bit ‘off coupons’ for you. The next day Mrs. Young brought the clothing Coupons and mum said, “Well, as soon as the gooseberries are big enough just come and help yourself because they are all yours”
. On the Friday mum went to Crewe and spent most of the Coupons. About a week later, dad went into the garden early, he came in saying, “you are not going to believe this, there’s been a frost, all the gooseberries are on the ground”! Mum was horrified, “whatever shall I do, and I’ve spent the coupons”. However, she brought Mrs. Young round to see for herself what the frost had done. She was very good about it and said it didn’t matter; in fact she often laughingly referred to it afterwards.
One afternoon, two French sailors appeared outside Hunters. We had seen a few around the town and heard that a large contingent of them were just outside Nantwich. ‘Free French’ forces that had escaped the clutches of the Germans were scattered up and down the country wherever room could be found for them until they could be re-deployed.
These two sailors were smiling at Marjorie and I and of course we smiled back, so they ventured into the shop. Putting their hands together in an attitude of prayer they said “Sucre?” “Aah”, I said, “they want some sugar”. There were no customers in the shop and Stan was doing some booking in the back, so we dived under the counter for two 1/2lb packets of sugar. They produced a handful of money and we took the amount needed, a few coppers, and performed a very severe mime with fingers on lips and head shaking to let them know that they must not tell anyone. They smiled and nodded their heads to let us know that they understood. Now that we were all friends they produced photographs of their families, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers, and in the case of one of them a wife and lovely baby, were all admired. They became very emotional when showing these mementoes of happy pre-war days, and ‘Marjorie and I had to brush away tears. The shop began to get busy, so with smiles and signs they departed.
The next morning, Victoria Street outside Hunters was suddenly thronged with the French Navy! There seemed to be a veritable sea of red pom-poms, bobbing about. They made their way into the shop, as many as could, the rest were outside clogging up the street. When Stan saw what was happening and heard them beseeching him for ‘sucre’ he had to become very stern and implacable. Marjorie and I thought he was being very mean, but of course we did understand that he dared not let them have any rations, however sorry he personally may have felt. “I d have been in all sorts of trouble,” he said, “it beats me why they picked on Hunters, though.” By this time Marjorie and I could not keep our faces straight, and as we laughed we told him about the previous afternoon. “I might have known, but don’t damn well do it again” he said.