Life during war years in Northern Ireland

During the late 1930 and 40's life in 'the North' was hard with food, fuel and practically everything scarce. The goverment implemented a strict rationing system which
allowed most people to have adequate provisions . A very healthy barter system evolved
with people swopping unwanted items of food or clothing for something else.

As a young child and being totally unaware of the seriousness of the situation my friends
and I had a marvellous time following army parades and getting much appreciated sweets
from the American troops who were billited in our town. We had a great life with our very
innocent fun of playing rounders, hide and seek and the usual children's games.

I remember many children coming to stay in our town as Belfast had been bombed and
many people were left homeless the local residents of the town would take these people
in to their homes sometimes for a long time. A great feeling of comraderie existed during
those years as everyone shared and the religious divide which has plagued that part of
Ireland for generations seemed to disappear as the people united to defeat the common
enemy which of course was Germany and Japan.

Unfortunately that togetherness did not last and as everyone knows the old divisions
reappeared, but that is another story.