By Gillian Ellison

THERE were tales of ration books, air raid shelters, identity cards and gas masks when people met to discuss their wartime memories.

Held at The Beacon last week, the afternoon gave people a chance to share their memories and help Beacon visitor host, Averil Dawson, put together a local history of the Second World War.

She said it was important for people to share their memories so that they could be passed down to younger generations to keep the history alive. She plans to have a database of information so people can research the subject.

“Everyone’s memories are different and I would like people to tell us their stories so that we have something to hand on.”

Averil said she had a photograph of an Australian air force man, Neville Emery, who came to Whitehaven in 1956/7 as part of the Australian war effort. He ended up coaching Whitehaven rugby league team, gaining them one of their best results.

“I can remember going to school with a Carrs bag, I wonder if we can find someone who actually made those flour bags at the mill,” said Averil.

She said she would also like to find out information about the harbour in the war years and had heard that it had to be cordoned off with sheeting.

Betty Crowe, of Bransty, said she can remember the Parton Home Guard going up the Wagon Road and that her and her friends would be in the grass watching.

She said she can remember her mother saying “we are at war,” and she replied: “So what?”

“I will never forget that,” she said.

Her mother worked at Bootle, putting TNT powder into hand-grenades.

Betty added: “I don’t ever remember anyone objecting to identity cards back then,” said Averil. “And we all remember ration books because we never had enough sweet coupons.”

Janet Sharpe, 84, of Whitehaven, said she worked at Silverstones flour mill at Cleator until 1945.

All the material had to go through her office and she said she was never very popular when the radio had to be turned off while the goods were checked out.

Peter Doran, said the first gas mask he can remember having was of Donald Duck. “And I can remember German prisoners of war on top of Parton, working in the fields.”

The Beacon would like to hear from people who have memories to share. Contact Averil on 0845 095 2131.