A Child's View of Wartime in Leeds

I was born and grew up in Leeds. I went to Leeds Girls' High School, - a Grammar School, - and then University.

My memory of the war was having to go into the cellar for safety every time the air raid siren sounded. The siren seemed to sound most nights, and as a small child, was quite disturbed by it, so I made up my own story. I decided that what I heard was the moon, singing. So whenever the siren sounded, my mother would say, "That's the moon singing, we need to go down to the cellar". My father had the floor reinforced, to protect us in case of a direct hit. We were lucky that didn't happen.

I always wanted a little sister, and used to pray every day for either a little sister or a brother. After a long time, I got my wish, - a little sister named Fiona.