Ann Greensmith's Story

 

I was born in Clapham S.W. 4. London in 1939. Throughout my childhood I

lived at 43 Cathles Road, Balham, and went to school at Oldridge Road at the

bottom of Balham Hill.

I was evacuated for part of the bombing to Staines to a family that I can't

remember the name of (and there's nobody around now to ask). Spent lots of

time at home though. Well remember the Anderson shelter at the bottom of

the back garden. Our house was actually damaged at the rear and was

repaired by the government after the war. I also remember the shelter in the

street right outside our front door. But, I mostly remember my Mother saying

'if that bombs got my name on it it'll find me where ever I am' and refusing

to budge into the shelter most of the time. Also spent time down Clapham

South tube station sleeping on the platform - luckily, not when it was

flooded out and many people died.

I suppose, like everybody else I keep meaning to write down my earlier

memories such as; electricity being connected after using gas mantles for

lighting (and the man who came along the street every evening and lit the

street lamps), corned beef, powdered eggs, clothing coupons etc., etc. One

of these days when I retire.....

Presently live in Perth, Western Australia where I have been for 25 years

(beautiful place, best standard of living in the world) and my main interests

now are jazz, playing petanque and being an Owner builder - nearly finished

a recycled brick pole home. Should there be anybody out there who remembers

a tall, skinny, scruffy girl (the one parents didn't want their children to

play with!) would love to hear from you.

I visit UK most years having two brothers still living in South London.

Definitely be back spring of the 3rd millennium.

Good luck to all

Ann Pomeroy (now aged 60) and looking goooood!

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Well remember the saga of the mice when I was quite little.

Mum, unfortunately, agreed to me having a (couple of sweet little mice

We (my brothers and I) used to train these little pets to walk trapeze along

the clothes drying string in the kitchen. They became quite proficient as

it was a 6' fall to the floor if they didn't! Well; eventually, as happens 2

mice quickly became 22 and mother put her foot down quite hard 'get rid of

those THINGS' I'll leave it to your imagination as to where 20 of them went

(one sits on it periodically). We didn't have the heart to do the same with

the original pair and so let them go in the house. They then proceeded to

inhabit behind the plaster and lathe walls - entry was easy due to bomb

damage and gaping holes. Where they lived happily for as long as I can

remember!

Regards ANN

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I remember the large spoon of malt and the third of a pint of milk. As

was mentioned, I don't know how we would have lived without school dinners

which were excellent. My home diet consisted of bread and milk (watered

down) for breakfast, and dinners at home were 90% Foster Clark powdered

tomato cube made into soup which had a heap of mashed potatoes in the middle

(nobody ever believes me when I tell them this). Tea was bread and plum jam

(no butter), I can't face plum jam to this day! Cordials, sweets etc., were

unknown. I remember the powdered eggs and the tins of bully beef. Most of

all I remember the corner store where we shopped (they would actually open

the shop out of ours when we knocked on the side door) The store Owner

would one by one move the ladder along getting every item and placing it on

the counter. Butter was patted from a large lump and yum, the cream on the

top of the bottled milk - whatever happened to that?

I vividly remember our house being connected to electricity, the gas wall

mantles being removed, and the end of the man who used to come along the

street lighting the lamps at dusk and damping them off at dawn. Does anyone

remember the men (usually quite elderly) who used to live in little tents

with oil lamps and guard the bombed sights? They were always good for a tin mug of

hot tea to us kids.

I just love all this remembering, it's amazing how

somebody says something and the memories come flooding in!

Keep them coming.

Annie

 

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