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Judith and Ernie’s story

My grandmother lived in Sydney, Australia, at the time of the Second World War. Most of the time during the war, Australians lived in fear of invasion by the Japanese, from the north of Australia. The Barrier Reef, on the eastern coast, was also constantly monitored by submarines.

My grandmother's greatest childhood memories were the rationing of food, clothing and everything the British experienced, but not as harsh.

My grandparents were evacuated to 'Orange', in the country, where they lived for three years until the war was over. Trenches were dug up outside their homes and schools. They exercised regularly in trench situations and practised first aid with their parents in case of casualties.

My grandparents also remember there being air raid shelters built in gardens next door to them. There was a house at the end of their road which was designated for casualties in the event of a raid and turned into a mini hospital. My grandmother recalls being dragged out of a shop during one air raid. Men used to wear tin hats during the war, and my grandmother remembers her grandfather wearing his when they had regular practise for raids, as men provided first aid.

My grandfather holds many memories of the war. One of these memories was hiding under the kitchen table with his mother, when a Japanese submarine came into Sydney Harbour.

Read the full story at WW2 People’s War:http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/22/a3304522.shtml