A CHILD’S REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR 1939 - 46
Chapter 2 page 2
11yrs - 12yrs
The Home Guard regularly practised their manoeuvres in the fields near our cottage and
this was great for us. We watched as one section crawled on their stomachs or crouched low
with their guns seeking out 'the enemy.'
As we knew where the others were we sat on a wall shouting 'They are over
there' or 'They went that way.'
No doubt they dreaded seeing half a dozen or more kids 7 - 11 yrs. perched on the wall
knowing that secrecy had been blown.
Home Guard in camouflage
We knew most of the Home Guard as they were the fathers and grandfathers of the children on
the wall so we regularly got into trouble and told not to sit there again! We did, of course,
but were quieter, only telling the men when they asked us!! We thought these manoeuvres a
great giggle - fortunately the men took them much more seriously.
They took to heart the words of Winston Churchill, as we all did when we heard his broadcast:-
'We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and
growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the
beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall
fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.'
Thrilling words, even to a child, which strengthened our determination to win at all costs.
One of my friends lived on a farm and we were always there helping to bring in the cows,
riding on the hay cart and jumping down from the hay loft. I can still clearly remember the
sights and smells of that hay loft, the feeling of excitement as we climbed the ladder high
into the roof and then leapt down onto the hay below. In the fields the hay, in those days,
was stacked in a conical shape and we found it great fun to climb up one side and slide down
the other.
I also remember riding on the hay-bogeys - a flat topped cart pulled by a
horse - and bouncing up and down over the rutted fields. We helped put the hay on the bogeys
and then climbed on again for the ride back to the farm, clinging on to the straw in case we
fell off.
Sometimes we landed on the field with a bump but this was all part of the fun and everyone
laughed as the one who had fallen off ran to catch up and climb on again. After the hay was
taken into the barn we would climb on the bogey again and back we would go to the field. It
was great fun and we loved every minute.
Also if we lay on our stomachs and put our hands under the haystacks we would find nests of
field mice. By rummaging around we would come across a nest and we would feel to see if there
were any babies in. When we did we would carefully bring them out one by one and put them on
our hands until we had quite a few nestling there. They were absolutely gorgeous and we were
thrilled with them. One day I took some into our cottage to show my Mam - I did not get the
reaction of 'Oh! aren't they beautiful' that I expected. Instead Mam leaped on to a chair and
screamed 'Take them out' Take them out' she was terrified of the little creatures that I
thought were so wonderful. After that we would often pop our heads round the door and say
'Mam, are you sure you don't want to see the field mice?' then run away giggling. The farm
also had dogs, cats and kittens and I was in my element running and playing with them. I
remember the hens and chickens running free, and the fun of feeding them by throwing out
handfuls of corn. No battery hens in those days, just happy chickens and hens running in the
fields and farmyard. I also loved bringing the cows in from the fields for milking. With my
stick in my hand I would encourage the cows who lingered by lightly tapping their backs.
Life, for me, was idyllic. We heard of some farmers painting a white line on their cows in
case they wandered on to the road and couldn't be seen in the blackout but I didn't see any
such cows on my friend's farm.
In the late summer we were allowed time off from lessons to pick rose hips from the hedgerows
to make Rose Hip Syrup for the babies. We loved this as the teachers led us in singing songs
such as 'She'll be coming round the mountain.'
Elizabeth Aynsley ©
'HOME'
Chapter 2 page 2
11yrs - 12yrs
The Home Guard regularly practised their manoeuvres in the fields near our cottage and this was great for us. We watched as one section crawled on their stomachs or crouched low with their guns seeking out 'the enemy.'
As we knew where the others were we sat on a wall shouting 'They are over
there' or 'They went that way.' No doubt they dreaded seeing half a dozen or more kids 7 - 11 yrs. perched on the wall knowing that secrecy had been blown. | | Home Guard in camouflage |
They took to heart the words of Winston Churchill, as we all did when we heard his broadcast:-
'We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and
growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the
beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall
fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.'
Thrilling words, even to a child, which strengthened our determination to win at all costs.
One of my friends lived on a farm and we were always there helping to bring in the cows,
riding on the hay cart and jumping down from the hay loft. I can still clearly remember the
sights and smells of that hay loft, the feeling of excitement as we climbed the ladder high
into the roof and then leapt down onto the hay below. In the fields the hay, in those days,
was stacked in a conical shape and we found it great fun to climb up one side and slide down
the other.
I also remember riding on the hay-bogeys - a flat topped cart pulled by a
horse - and bouncing up and down over the rutted fields. We helped put the hay on the bogeys
and then climbed on again for the ride back to the farm, clinging on to the straw in case we
fell off.
Sometimes we landed on the field with a bump but this was all part of the fun and everyone
laughed as the one who had fallen off ran to catch up and climb on again. After the hay was
taken into the barn we would climb on the bogey again and back we would go to the field. It
was great fun and we loved every minute.
Also if we lay on our stomachs and put our hands under the haystacks we would find nests of
field mice. By rummaging around we would come across a nest and we would feel to see if there
were any babies in. When we did we would carefully bring them out one by one and put them on
our hands until we had quite a few nestling there. They were absolutely gorgeous and we were
thrilled with them. One day I took some into our cottage to show my Mam - I did not get the
reaction of 'Oh! aren't they beautiful' that I expected. Instead Mam leaped on to a chair and
screamed 'Take them out' Take them out' she was terrified of the little creatures that I
thought were so wonderful. After that we would often pop our heads round the door and say
'Mam, are you sure you don't want to see the field mice?' then run away giggling. The farm
also had dogs, cats and kittens and I was in my element running and playing with them. I
remember the hens and chickens running free, and the fun of feeding them by throwing out
handfuls of corn. No battery hens in those days, just happy chickens and hens running in the
fields and farmyard. I also loved bringing the cows in from the fields for milking. With my
stick in my hand I would encourage the cows who lingered by lightly tapping their backs.
Life, for me, was idyllic. We heard of some farmers painting a white line on their cows in
case they wandered on to the road and couldn't be seen in the blackout but I didn't see any
such cows on my friend's farm.
In the late summer we were allowed time off from lessons to pick rose hips from the hedgerows
to make Rose Hip Syrup for the babies. We loved this as the teachers led us in singing songs
such as 'She'll be coming round the mountain.'
Elizabeth Aynsley ©