WW2 outbreak stories from care home residents: 'Life would never be the same'

Care home residents have spoken of the fateful day when the Second World War was announced, talking about how their mothers were in tears, remembering how, even though they were young, that they felt “an atmosphere that things were different, and were going to be different.”

On 3 September 2019, it will be the 80th anniversary of when Britain declared war against Germany, signaling the start of the Second World War.

Britain had declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, two days after Hitler’s forces had invaded Poland.

To mark the anniversary, residents from care home group The Royal Star & Garter Homes have been telling their stories about the outbreak of WW2. Two of them went on to serve during the 1939-1945 conflict.

‘This country is now at war with Germany’

Joan Sprigg joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) In 1942 and served in the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Group Command at RAF Uxbridge.

However, she was only 15 years of age when the war broke out.

She remembers the moment well. She says: “We learned the very grave news on the radio, that Hitler had given no undertaking that he would withdraw his troops from Poland and Czechoslovakia, so consequently the Prime Minister said this country is now at war with Germany. My mother cried and said, ‘life would never be the same again’.

“My father looked very grave and serious. He served in the First World War and all those memories were very fresh in their minds.”

‘My mother came back and she was crying’

Margaret Robert’s husband Charlie served in the Army. Her mother was running her a bath when they learned of the war. Although she was only six at the time, she still remembers the day clearly.

She says: “Someone came to the door – I don’t know who it was or what was said but I know my mother came back and she was crying and she called across the next door’s garden to the women next door about the news, and for a little while, while my bath water went cold they were very distressed.

“The actual day itself was a trauma. I can’t even remember finishing the bath. There was an atmosphere that things were different and going to be different.”

Hiding behind the grandfather clock

Aged 20, Betty Dawson joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), serving until 1946.

Betty was 17 years old on 3 September 1939 and recalls hiding in an unusual place when the air raid sirens sounded that day.

She said: “I was at home in Leeds with my mother and the siren went. We had a big grandfather clock in one of the recesses. She made me stand on one side. I don’t know why, she thought we were safe. War had been declared and in no time the siren went.”

The residents feature in a video about their experiences made by the Royal Star & Garter Homes, which cares for ex-servicemen and women and their partners living with disability or dementia.

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