Memories of Coventry during the War

Contributor's father Robert K. Holden worked in a Coventry factory building planes and was kept back, not joining the war until 1942. Was saved from a bomb by having a cigarette outside the factory. Later saw an aircraft he built at an airshow in the 1980s. After joining up Robert worked in a repair ship stationed in Singapore, after stopping over in Malta on the way, where he developed pneumonia. After later posting in Bali he declared he did not want to go abroad again. Went on a European cruise in 1970s with Margaret, her first time abroad, and died immediately. Returned home after receiving a telegram telling him to get a council house.
Contributor's mother Margaret Campbell Miller was in service working in Oxford factories, saw Coventry burning during the Blitz from a rooftop in Oxford. Faced abuse from neighbours in Coventry because she was Scottish. After a Sikh family moved into the neighbourhood, they then became the targets.