I also remember being Milk Monitor with another girl. It was our job to bring in the crates of free gills of milk (approx. 0. 14 litre) for each child and hand out the straws. The cardboard tops of the bottles were carefully prised off and the centres pressed out, we could then wind wool round them later on and make pom-poms.

By this time we all knew that our country had been saved by 'The Few' - our Battle of Britain heroes. As Churchill said

'Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.

Our Prime Minister certainly had a way with words! Weary to the point of exhaustion our Airmen had jumped to the ringing of the bell and the shout of "Scramble!" warning them of the raid and had run to their planes determined to chase the enemy from our shores before they could drop their bombs.
We also heard of the Polish Squadrons who were ferocious in their fighting - after all the Germans had invaded and conquered their land committing many atrocities. When they 'downed' a plane they would cheer saying 'That's for what you did at .......... Many of them had relatives back home in Poland and they couldn't wait to finish the war and destroy the enemy. Often when they were told by their Squadron Leaders to 'Break Off, return to Base' as the Jerries were chased over the Channel, the Poles would pretend they didn't understand the order and they would answer in Polish! They would then chatter between themselves in Polish and dash off, firing after the fleeing enemy. This, of course, annoyed their Officers who reprimanded them on their return to Base as discipline had to be maintained - or at least try to be maintained! I'm sure though that if they had 'downed' another Jerry or two their Commanding Officer would have a secret triumphant smile as more 'kills' were chalked up on the walls. And as for the Polish boys, the reprimands were like water off a duck's back. They were here to do a job, and they were going to do it, and no-one was going to stop them! Later on in the war I actually met the son of one of these Polish airmen, but more of that later. During the Battle of Britain 141 Polish Airmen took part and 20 were killed. The total number of Airmen who took part in this turning-point-of-the-war battle was 2,945 and 507 were killed. The total killed and wounded was 1,007. We often saw our planes flying overhead and wherever we were, in country or town, we would always wave, not that I suppose they noticed, but we liked to do it as we felt we were saying 'We are with you, thank you for what you are doing for us.'

I remember being told of Airmen doing the 'Victory Roll' when returning to Base after a successful mission something which brought down the wrath of their Commanding Officers as they could 'prang' their machines, but, as far as I know, it didn't appear to stop them.

By now we had tins of Dried Eggs the equivalent of 12 eggs and Household Dried Milk.

The dried eggs were used to make Eggy Bread-the powder being mixed to a batter then a slice of bread was dipped and fried. Very tasty and a nourishing tea.

That winter we had a very heavy fall of snow which suited us children as we put on layers of warm clothing and went toboganning down Fairy Hill. It was an exhilerating time as we flew down this high steep hill at great speed. This hill was on the outskirts of the village and took quite a time to walk there but the thrill of speeding down it made the walk worthwhile. It was also great fun trying to trudge through the snow on the way to school and make snowmen and have snowball fights on the school field. We loved the winter as much as the summer.

I remember we had to pass the Vicarage on the way to school and the drive leading to the house was full of snowdrops in the January. It was a picture and I just had to stop and gaze at them. They too are some of my favourite flowers. I remember Mam showing us a good idea for the use of snow from one of the Ladies' magazines :-
"It does not appear to be common knowledge that snow can be used as a substitute for eggs in certain forms of cookery so try snow pancakes by using one large teacup of snow to replace two eggs. "

As there was plenty of snow around and very few eggs we tried it, cooking the pancake over the open fire. I can't recall it being much of a success but we ate them as "there's a war on, you know!"
I have included this war-time recipe as someone in my family might like to try it!
Christmas, of course, was a wonderful time. The school plays, the Sunday School plays, going round the village carol singing and not forgetting Christmas Day with its presents ! I remember Billy getting a Fort one year whilst I was happy with dolls and books. It must have been difficult for Mam though as she had to cook everything in the coal oven, making sure the fire remained at a constant temperature. Coal was rationed as well as all food and sweets yet we, as children, never felt deprived of anything and were always delighted with our few presents. By today's standards we were poor but there was love in abundance so nothing else really mattered. Mam was wonderful and I never remember her grumbling or even letting us know how heavy it was for her looking after four children in such circumstances.

I remember how she collected rain water, heated it, strained it and then used it ' to wash my hair - with any soap available. I never even remember hearing the word 'shampoo!' We were also bathed in a tin bath in front of the fire one after the other! There was no way we could each have a separate bath when each bucket of water had to be carried from the tap in the road and then heated in pans on the fire. What a task for my poor Mam. Having a bath in front of the fire was fine in the winter but dreadfully hot in the summer. The fire, of course, had to be kept on all year as it was the only form of cooking. There was no 'Hoover' - without electricity it would have been useless! The cottage had to be kept clean by sweeping the mats with a strong brush and getting on hands and knees to wash the floor. Grandma could not have been easy to cope with either as she was a 'tartar!' I recall one day when the vegetable cart came round and Mam chose a cauliflower. Immediately Grandma told her to put it back 'You're spoiling those children' she said. 'Cabbage is good enough for them ! Grandma had her say on everything and we had to do exactly as she said - no contradicting Grandma!!

I remember Marjory spending some time at our house as I spent some time at hers. We played games and were happy just knocking a balloon to each other in their parlour. I remember this distinctly.

In the Spring I remember the village children picking the tiny leaves from the Hawthorn bushes which grew in abundance on the way to school. They began to eat them and told me they tasted like bread and cheese - I never thought they did, but I ate them just the same!

Elizabeth Aynsley ©

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