The Home Front in Leyton and Leytonstone 1939 - 1945 Everyday life on the ‘Home Front’ in Leyton and Leytonstone during the Second World War is vividly depicted in this companion publication to the author Gary Heales’ ‘The Home Front in Walthamstow 1939 - 1945’, drawing on the unique photographic and object collections at Vestry House Museum, London Borough of Waltham Forest, together with personal reminiscences and other written sources. Leyton & Leytonstone History Society Vestry House Museum, www.leytonhistorysociety.org.uk/ London Borough of Waltham Forest Gary Heales ISBN 978-1-9998278-1-6 The Home Front in Leyton and Leytonstone, 1939 – 1945 by Gary Heales Index by David Boote The contents of this publication must not be reproduced unless authorised by Vestry House Museum, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Vestry Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9NH Published in 2017 by Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society in association with Vestry House Museum, London Borough of Waltham Forest Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society 27 The Croft, Friday Hill, London E4 6EZ website : www.leytonhistorysociety.org.uk ISBN 978-1-9998278-1-6 Front cover photos: Upper left: V-2 rocket which fell at Fairmead Bottom Road, High Beech, Epping but did not explode Upper right: The Woman’s Voluntary Service members Emergency Feeding Unit on exercise in Cann Hall Lower left: Children from Oliver Road, Leyton, celebrate VE (Victory in Europe) Day Lower right: Warden’s Post by the Green Man Pond, Leytonstone Back cover photos: A card from an ‘Evacuee’ game; a WD & HO Wills cigarette card on how to equip your refuge room and keep occupied during an air raid; a metal badge for a member of the Home Guard to wear; an ‘Air Raid Wardens Wanted’ poster. 12 An introductory note of appreciation by David Boote, Chair of Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society: This publication could only have come into being because Vestry House Museum, and the Waltham Forest Archives and Waltham Forest photographic archive within its walls, have been sustained by the London Borough of Waltham Forest. That local authority was created in 1965 by the amalgamation of the Boroughs of Leyton, Chingford and Walthamstow. The Borough of Leyton through its library service created document and photograph archives from which this publication has been created, and from 1965 the contents have been safeguarded by Waltham Forest council as a free public resource for all researchers and the simply curious. There is no alternative to the contents of Vestry House Museum and the archives. They are unique and irreplaceable. Their condition and access for the public reflects the dedication and commitment of the borough council staff responsible from the 19th century to the present, sometimes working beyond the hours and terms of their employment. Elected members of Waltham Forest Borough Council have recognised the continuing value of the Museum and archives in a period when local authorities have been asked by central government to reduce expenditure dramatically, and for that protection all users must be profoundly grateful, including those like readers of this publication who benefit indirectly. Vestry House Museum has supplied the images and text of this publication free of charge. Without this concession the publication would not have been possible. Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society is extremely grateful. For the opening hours of Vestry House Museum, and the Waltham Forest Archives, see the website of the London Borough of Waltham Forest www.walthamforest.gov.uk This publication is modelled on ‘The Home Front in Walthamstow 1939 – 1945’ by Gary Heales, published by Walthamstow Historical Society and Vestry House Museum, 2016. 12 Preparation for War. A trench shelter dug in Leyton after the Munich crisis (September 1938). Such trenches may have offered some protection in the event of an air raid, but would have been totally inadequate for the many hours in shelters that families would have to endure during the Blitz. An article that appeared in the Daily Sketch on 6th April 1938, showing Leyton Air Raid Precautions training. The Outbreak of War. On the morning of 1st September 1939 Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland. Later that same morning the British Cabinet met to discuss their response and to issue a warning to Germany, that unless it withdrew from Polish territory Britain would carry out its obligations to protect Poland. On the 3rd September, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made the following announcement by radio: ”This morning, the British ambassador in Berlin handed the German government the final note, stating that unless we heard from them, by 11 o'clock, that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now, that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently, this country is now at war with Germany…” Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, speaking on the BBC Britain was once again at war with Germany. Evacuation. The Government had already made plans to evacuate children of school age to ‘safe’ areas well away from London and other large cities. The evacuation began on 1st September 1939, two days before the declaration of war, and over the course of the next three days 1.5 million children, teachers and mothers with babies were sent to rural locations. Leyton was classed as an evacuation area, with all schools being sent away, even as far away as Wales. Evacuation was not compulsory and many parents decided not to send their children. All schools were closed after this date, which resulted in many children being free to roam the streets and cause trouble. Later some schools were reopened for returning children but they did 12 so under emergency and often improvised conditions, often with some retired teachers returning to work for the duration. 12 Left: Poster for evacuation. Middle: Poster for Leyton, Non-Evacuated children. Right: A card from an ‘Evacuee’ game. Children were marched to Leyton and Leytonstone stations by teachers and W.V.S. (Women’s Voluntary Society) volunteers; they were bundled into trains with no idea where they were going and for how long the duration might be. For the older children it may have seemed an adventure, but many of the younger ones suffered from home-sickness and bed-wetting. Some were split-up from elder brothers or sisters, when there was only space for one child in a billet. The organiser of the Leyton W.V.S remembered that: “During the evacuation of children, the W.V.S provided the cars to take the children to whichever station they would be leaving from, but we weren’t involved with the organising of the evacuation scheme”. Parents were told to pack a small bag containing a change of clothing, underwear, night things, slippers and food for the journey for their sons or the school daughters. They were also told to make sure the children had their gas masks and to take them to school, where they each received a label bearing the school’s number. Suggested list of things to pack: GIRL. 2 vests. BOY. 2 liberty bodices (if worn). 2 vests. 2 knickers. 2 under pants. 2 nightdresses or pyjamas. 2 shirts. 2 pairs of socks or stockings. 2 pyjamas and night shirts. 2 pair shoes 2 pair socks. 1 Wellingtons (if possible). 2 pairs boots or shoes. 1 warm coat and/or mackintosh 1 Wellingtons (if possible). (if not being worn). 1 warm coat and/or mackintosh. 1 warm dress or tunic and (if not being worn). jersey. 1 pair knickers or trousers. 1 cardigan. 1 pullover. 2 cotton frocks. 6 handkerchief. 6 handkerchiefs. 1 toothbrush. 1 toothbrush. 1 face flannel. 1 face flannel. 1 comb. 1 comb. 2 towels. 2 towels. Gas mask. Gas mask. Identity card. Identity card. Ration book. Ration book. Clothing and personal coupons. Clothing and personal coupons. 12 “My mother had instructions to have us all down at the school early, complete with rucksacks, a blanket and gas masks. It was a fantastic rush (it always was in our house), and from the school we got on a double decker bus, which took us to the railway station. The train was in no hurry to leave, but eventually we got started. The train was packed out – it was one of those with tables either side of the gangway and every table was loaded with luggage. We hadn’t been going long before we stopped – I think it was a siding. Finally we got to Oakham. I have no idea what time it was, but we were taken to a school and inside we were given a hot drink. I’d never had Horlicks before, we always had cocoa before we went to bed, so when they came round asking if anyone was still thirsty I shot my hand up and was given a glass of water! After that we were told to go out into the playground as the school had to be locked up, so, so there we were, in the pitch dark – waiting. Then we got on another coach and were taken to a village called Greetham in Rutlandshire. The village school was being used as a billeting centre. There were a whole load of villagers there and one of them grabbed hold of my sister and said “I’ll have her!”, but she reckoned without Rene who said “No you won’t, we’re all to stay together my Dad said”. Rene never lacked spunk. Because we needed a billet for three we were left until last. Nobody wanted three so the problem was solved by two neighbours, Rene and Clare went together and I lived next door with another girl”.