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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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Wartime hobnobbing with the stars

by E_Chappel

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Contributed by 
E_Chappel
People in story: 
E Chapple
Location of story: 
Holloway, London
Background to story: 
Civilian Force
Article ID: 
A7070933
Contributed on: 
18 November 2005

Living in Holloway with mum when war broke out. When the sirens sounded everyone was running about, some were evacuated to Bedfordshire. I remember experiencing being bombed out by doodlebugs, and having to sleep in a railway station. I was also machine gunned by a German plane.

I volunteered under age; I sneaked in, however not after I was called up by telegram.I went to Gloustershire for training as a photographer. I went batting to waiting on tables and met these people:Robert Taylor, Victor McLadder, and Leslie Howard.

I was transferred to London to St. John’s Wood to work in the offices. Here I used to take airmen on parade to the Lords cricket Ground.I also went to Farnborough, Hampshire to try out the first jet, which screeched over the building. Eva was taken ill with shock, and had to go to Aldershot Hospital, where she was given injections and bed rest for 2 or 3 weeks.Canadians came and visited the hospitals, they were very good people, giving sweets and chocolate.

I was married in my uniform in 1942.In 1943 I was invalided out due to nervous ability.

I went on to work in a shop in Highgate, and later had 3 sons and a daughter.

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