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Life continues

Whilst the war went on around them life went on for the Hayward’s including having to pay
the bills. By joining the AFS William had taken a significant drop in income and so by
September 1939, and throughout the war, he was in regular communication with the Building
Society to reduce the monthly repayments. [The Government passed ‘The Rent and Mortgage
Interest Restrictions Act, 1939‘, which made for the provision at this time for, in William’s case,
a reduction in the monthly repayments.] By October 1939 William had negotiated a reduction
in the repayments to £2-15s-0d which after further communication was reduced to £2-10s-0d
and in January 1944 was £2-18s-0d. William replied to the letter dated October 17th 1939
making notes on the back, his reply; “Reply October 22nd – Point out, that wage has decreased
by 8/-. Last of ……. up and rates, wife expectant (Eunice). 2/6 reduction not enough. Premium
to increase when can.”

Irene was evacuated to live with Walter and Grace Southgate at ‘Smallburgh’ Ongar at the
start of the war but returned home after 6 months – this was repeated throughout London as
up to 500,000 evacuated children returned home to live with their family's and take there
chances with the German bombers.

Before the out break of war Rose fell pregnant and on the 14th of March 1940 Eunice Margaret
was born. Eunice was born at Brackley Square and registered at Woodford Register office on
April 15th. Eunice went on to marry Tony Frank Counsell at St Barnabas Church, Woodford,
Essex on October 31st 1959.

Shortly after Eunice was married William and Rose moved form Brackley Square to 84 Tolmers
Road, Cuffley, Hertfordshire.

Eunice Margaret
William and Rose had a third daughter Jacqueline Ann, just before the
end of the war on June 27th 1945. Jacqueline went on to marry
Graham Balkwill on April 2nd 1966.

At their home in Brackley Square William built an Anderson shelter in


the garden there was also a communal shelter on the green in front of
the houses. Conditions in both were pretty appalling and the
communal shelter very cramped – some thing that Eunice did not like
at all. Later William built a Morrison shelter in the front room, under
the front window. Irene and Eunice would sleep in there. William and
Rose a mattress on the floor in the recess. This was all fine until one
morning, neighbours smelled gas.

“......the gas pipe under the front door steps had broken. The neighbours brought
this to our attention.” [Irene]

Although William and Rose were very drowsy, Irene was pretty overcome, as too was Eunice,
who was rushed into the the back garden and into her high chair to get fresh air.

“We got through the war unscathed, although the bombing got very close ....... we
didn't have a lot but war time there wasn't much anyway. We improvised a lot of
the time and used our imagination. Rationing was hard, but people used to swap
things, and gardens became vegetable plots. Chickens provided eggs and were to
be a meal when the chicken got old (we could never eat ours). Our chickens were
called Gert and Daisy. They provided so many eggs Mum was able to pickle some to
cope when the chickens went off!” [Irene]

“Us kids used to love going outside after an air raid to collect the shrapnel that had
fallen – I used to play with my friends Margaret Dunworth and Barbara Leggett .....
Barbara did disappear for a while and returned 9 months later!” [Irene]

Other games that were played included various skipping games; whip and top, five-stones or
gobs, swapped comics ...

“Used to sit on the doorstep doing that I can remember, we were not allowed to
have friends in doors!” [Irene]

...... and much more.

With the rationing birthday parties were modest affairs. Christmas was a different story with
Rose's saving and planning coming into operation. The whole year she saved a a toy shop at
Plaistow .....

..... on the Hill near the market -I know as every year I had to go with her to carry
every thing back, even the Christmas tree some times and it always seemed to be
raining and it was awful' ..... [Irene]

..... so that Eunice, Jacqueline and Susan had their presents.

'The tree would be a wonderful sight. Father Christmas would come and leave the
presents at the end of he bed. We would have our tongue, ham and pickle
Christmas breakfast and were not allowed to eat any sweets until after we had
Christmas dinner – as we called it then. That was difficult. At 4 o/clock we would
have presents off the tree and that was always fun. My only disappointment was
when Biro pens came out and I asked 'Father Christmas' if I could have one and
when I saw the shape of the present I thought Oh. Good but when I opened the
box it was a fountain pen. My heart sank. Mum said she thought that was better for
me.' [Irene]

Eunice and Irene were great pals and were always playing, somersaulting and generally
playing. They thought it would be a good idea to put on a show in the back garden to show off
there athleticism. They put up posters on the garage door inviting people to the show even
laying on food for all the guests. Unfortunately nobody came but they enjoyed themselves.

At the end of the War (VE and VJ) 'wonderful celebrations' were held in Brackley Square –
Irene remembers;

'The men (a lot had still not returned from the War) built stages, lots of furniture,
like chairs and tables etc. were brought out in to the square, together with a piano
and lots of food. It was one great big party. I had to play the piano in the talent
competition and still have the prizes. One was a bible and the other a Pride and
Prejudice book. I also won a prize dressed as Robin Hood. Mum made the outfit out
of Shredded Wheat boxes and black out curtains'

Whilst a new home Brackley Square did not have any of the conveniences that we are used to
today. There were no fridges, deep freezes and washing machines. There was a larder built on
an outside wall which had a cold slab and that was where you kept your butter and cheeses
etc.

'The Sunday roast would have been beef, lamb or pork. Never chicken. Chicken was
a luxury then and was only had at Christmas. The Sunday joint usually had to do
for three days. Roast on Sunday, cold on Monday and Shepherd's pie Tuesday
when mum went shopping again'

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