Re: Re Home front

Horace A. Basham (horace@hbasham.ak.planet.gen.nz)
Wed, 26 Nov 1997 20:05:38 -0400 

 Hallo Steve! My name is Horace Basham. ex RAF engineer. I will answer the
questions as I can.

>Hello everyone,
>My name is Steve Nckless. ----snipped-----
>I asked them to come up with a list of questions  they wanted to ask people
>who may have lived through that time which I hope you might provide the
>answers for. They came up with dozens, here are a selection.
>
>1. If you had run out of food and you had no more ration coupns what did
>you do?

A1. I have not idea. It never happened. Would not have been likely to have
happened. I some countries I have heard that cats, dogs, and houses were
eaten. In some POW camps rats, but I only heard that as rumours.

>2. Did you still have milkmen delivering during the war?

A2  Yes. We had in West Ham, London milk in bottles as well as dried milk
powder for special needs.

>3. How did you get your mail?

A3  The Postman delivered at least once a day. Twice a day was usual, I
believe. I can't say for sertain I was not at home very much during the
war.

>4. What was your favourite wartime song?

A4  There were so many of them. But the old favorites would have been
"We're goin to hang out our washing on the Zigfried line have you any dirty
washing mother dear". "Run rabbit run", "Sentimental Journey","White
Cliffs of Dover"

>5. Do you still see any of your wartime friends?

A5 Nom alas.

>6. Can you tell us about 5 shilling clothes parcels?

A6  No I don't recall such a thing.

>7. Were there many unemployed women at the end of the war when munitions
>were not needed in such large quantities?

A7  There must have been. But that sort of information is best gathered
from the Ministry of Information. Or tt's equivalent of today.

>I hope you will answer some or all of these questions and I look forward to
>your replies.
>Incidentally the teachers find your memories fascinating as well thanks for
>yor good work.
>Steve.

 Horace
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 Horace A.Basham        Writing from the Foothills
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