Transcript for: her father's role in the Second World War. Maureen was interviewed by students at Almondbury High School
Interviewee: Maureen Wood
Subject: Almondbury High School
Do you know what the two minute silence is?Yes it’s to remember all the people, men, women and people who died during the war, those who were killed during the war and those who fought to protect us. Soldiers, sailors and airmen we remember them all.
Do you keep silent during those two minutes, if so what do you think about?
Yes I do because it’s important; they made a big sacrifice so it’s important to remember these things. There were people in the village where we lived. In fact one of the neighbours he was a young man and he was killed soon in the war. He was called up because he was over 18 and he was killed quite early on in the war. Just give thanks for those that were saved really, it bring it all back.
My father he was in the Second World War. He wanted to go to the First World War but was too young. He joined the Territorial Army before the warbut because he loved the outdoor life and he loved camping. He went camping once a year, we never had holidays, most people in those days didn’t they couldn’t afford them, so he loved the outdoor life and thoroughly enjoyed it. But of course when war broke out he was one of the first to be called up.
The very day that war was declared all the people round about turned out, all down the lane where we lived turned out to cheer him on. We were ever so proud, we thought it was wonderful. He set off to Bradford but then he had to come back because all the people who turned up there was nowhere for them to sleep so they had to come home. He had to go every day until things got organised.