Woman recounts her memories of Weston in World War Two

The family of Margery Bailey, whose maiden name was Nelson, have shared her story in the lead up to this year's D-Day anniversary on June 6.

The commemorative day remembers those who took part in the Normandy Landings on the same date in 1944.

Below is a transcription taken from Margery's notebook. Margery sadly passed away earlier this year, aged 96.

Margery's story

Coming home from India, we lived at Biggin Hill when war was declared. We had our Anderson Shelter outside the back and grew potatoes on the top and vegetables between the flowers.

At the bottom of our garden was the Aerodrome and we watched the spitfires and hurricanes.

Mum and dad used to go to the mess, and I knew most of the spitfire pilots. We went to school called Jail Lane School.

Then came the battle of Britain.  We witnessed dog fights overhead.  We were in the shelter a lot of the time. Mum had a primus stove outside the entrance to the shelter, what a godsend that was.

The bottom of the shelter was always deep in water, and we had to sit on the side slats on the edge of our seats, not letting our backs touch the wall of the shelter, because of blast.

When our school was bombed my mother contacted her sister in Weston to stay with her for safety. We had to travel to Bromley Railway Station. On the way we had to drive into the woods because of overhead raids.

We got to the station and onto the train.  Halfway into the journey a guard came and told us to lay on the floor whilst the train was going so fast to reach a tunnel - there was aircraft overhead.

We did get to Weston. My dad at this time was in charge of the pom-pom guns defending London.

Margery lived in Weston during World War Two. (Image: Courtesy of the Nelson, Bailey, Price and Howard families)The house opposite Aunty came up for rent so Mum went back to Biggin Hill with Pickfords Removals to transport our things. Dad was still in London, John was called up and we ended up with two extra boys, Bertie and David, our evacuees.

Being the eldest I had to help Mum with the children, help with the chores and get the rations each week etc. Mum and I went to the YMCA and gave out tea and beans on toast for the troops. Then I would go on to the dance in the hall and later on to the Winter Gardens where I loved the big bands.

The Americans came and everyone used to dance.  I had a lovely time but was not allowed to go on a date with the Americans. My dad's word was law.

I loved watching them play baseball on the Beach Lawns as they were housed in the hotels and used to hang out the windows whistling.

On my 17th birthday I received my call up papers for the Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service), but dad said I couldn't go as I was needed at home to help my mother. She had a husband in the war office and a son serving, so I had to report to the nearest factory which was on the now Elborough Estate near Locking.

I started in the typing pool and worked up to the Personnel Department. I had a good time there.

I made all my own clothes and knitted for myself, my family and the troops abroad.

The Borough Arms in 1953 when Princess Margaret came to visit. (Image: Courtesy of the Nelson, Bailey, Price and Howard families)Margery's letter to her Uncle Pat. (Image: Courtesy of the Nelson, Bailey, Price and Howard families)

My uncle Pat was serving in Italy.  I sent him my foot size on paper and he sent me beautiful Italian shoes.

We had chickens and ducks so always had eggs.  My mother was a wonderful cook and always made lovely things from the rations.

We stayed in Weston after the war and my mum and dad became Licensees of the Borough Arms Public House.