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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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Mary's War

by kpcaslin

Contributed by 
kpcaslin
People in story: 
Mary Keegan
Location of story: 
Liverpool
Background to story: 
Civilian
Article ID: 
A2735606
Contributed on: 
11 June 2004

Mary and her great grandaughter Liverpool 2001

Mary is my nan and she is 86 years old this year. Recently I asked her about her experiences of the blitz in Liverpool. She told me of one time when working in a munitions factory that she was having egg and chips when the sirens went off. She said there was no way she was leaving her lunch for the Germans so she ran with it whilst looking up at the planes on their way to the docks. Only when she reached the shelter did she look back to see a trail of chips and her precious egg on the ground. I think she would have given any paratrooper a good pasting had she gotten hold of one that day. She also told me about the vanity of her friend and herself - they refused to put on their tin hats as it would ruin their hair do! One day the siren went off and they were caught in the street. They hit the deck and lay their while planes went overhead and bombs fell some way off. An ARP warden spotted them and said 'Hey! Get your f**king hats on!' To which my nan's friend said 'The language on him Mary. I'm gonna bloody report him when this is finished!' I guess the ladies of Liverpool where tough in them days.

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Air Raids and Other Bombing Category
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