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Wartime memories

Harold Cunliffe
17/ 7/2008

NEXT year, 3 September marks the 70th anniversary of Britain’s entry into the Second World War.

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain told the nation: "Britain is at war with Germany."

Bygone Days, in association with Middleton Local Studies Library, would like to compile a document containing readers wartime memories. If you lived or worked in the town and would like to share your wartime experiences please contact Bygone days by post or by telephoning 0161 643 3615. A selection will be published prior to being archived in Middleton Library as part of the town’s social history.

Wardens reported hundreds of householders during the blackout for showing a light – every offence carried a fine. This week we have unearthed a selection of items that made the news in 1940.

For riding his pedal cycle on Manchester Old Road without a red rear warning light, Fred Manning was summoned before the courts. The defendant stated that he had: "Searched Oldham for a lamp but could not find one for sale."

The Mayor told him: "You will be fined 10/- (50p). We regard it as a serious offence. You might get killed."

December 1940 – Norman Hughes of Highbarn Rd was fined 60/- (£3) for failing to prevent the emission of sparks from his chimney during a blackout.

On 15 July builders Ashton Smethurst Ltd were summoned before the magistrates for two cases of leaving building materials in a public place without warning lights. Fined 5/- (25p) on each case the Mayor stated that in the event of an air raid, ‘panic people’ might have tumbled and injured themselves by falling over bricks, mortar and timber in Oak and Birch Avenues. Harry Ashton said the Corporation was now unable to supply oil lamps even though his firm were building shelters in all parts of the borough.

A Messerschmit fighter bomber with an interesting history was to be exhibited inside the Baths ballroom to raise funds for the town’s Spitfire Fund.

Following weeks of negotiations with the Ministry of Information the aircraft, which was shot down over Kent, arrived at the baths. The building was never designed to take such a large object and as a result the 35ft fuselage would not pass through the entrance corridor. As a result the single-seater machine, which had flown more than 140 sorties over Poland and Britain, destroying several Allied aircraft in the process, was assembled on spare land at the side of the building. The aircraft was guarded day and night by the Home Guard. Photographs, pamphlets, aeroplane parts, models, a military wireless and a German Iron Cross formed part of the ballroom display.

To encourage recycling of waste Mr T Turner, the sanitary inspector set up a window display at Long Street showing items which had been collected from the conveyor belt at the plant in Townley Street.

Many items had been repaired and put back into use. He said: "We have vacuum cleaners and wireless sets by the hundred, a sewing machine arrived the other day, a valuable item these days. There are some strange objects as well, such as an opium pipe."

The Libraries, Parks and Allotments Committee decided to dispose of the cannons on Clarke Brow. There were some sentiment attached to them and the committee were sorry to lose the relics of Sebastopol, but the metal could be put to better use. After the war they could be replaced with the enemy’s, it was stated.

At the Parish Church the Flodden window was removed and taken to a place of safety.

The pavement outside the Old Cock Inn, Oldham Road collapsed. An old well 15ft in circumference and 7ft deep had caved in. It was never recorded that a well was situated at this point.

At the Palace cinema, public information films were shown on Sundays. Comedy was screened at other times. George Formby starred along with Phyllis Calvert in, 'Let George Do It' a morale boosting film in which Formby comes face to face with Hitler. "Hitler, we’re coming to get you," were his famous words.

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