i remember the moment like it had just happened. the year was 1939, it was a time of confusion and worry. what is happening between britain and germany? will there be trouble? could we possibly be going to war?
my family and i all crowded around the Anderson's radio that they had in their home. Mr and Mrs Anderson were our neighbours, who we were quite close to. They were a lovely couple, who always hosted dinner parties with wine for the adults and lemonade for us children. They were also the only people in the near town who owned a radio, so we were all packed into their living room like sardines in a tin, awaiting mr. chamberlain's message anxiously.
suddenly, the voice of neville chamberlain was heard around the room, which fell silent instantly.
"i am speaking to you, from the cabinet room of 10 Downing Street. This morning, the British ambassador in Berlin, handed the German government, a final note," he remarked. "stating that unless we heard from them by eleven o'clock, that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland and a state of war will exist between us"
I turned to my younger sister, elaine, and placed her shaking hand in mine.
"I have to tell you now, that no such undertaking has been received, and that, consequently, this country, is at war with Germany"
gasps echoed through the room. one little girl, young Mary-Ann from the next street over, even began to cry. A sense of panic ran through my numb body.
"don't fret, children, it was all be alright. a quick war over by christmas" said mother, father nodding in agreement.
although they looked reassuring, I could tell that behind their smiles, they were worried too.
YOU ARE READING
wartime angels
Adventureflorence is a young girl of 14. one fateful day, she is sent away to the countryside as war breaks out against germany. she is unable to find a home, so is placed with the richest family in the area, the channing family, to be the nursemaid of an in...
