This contribution of childhood memories of the '40s was posted to us by Miss R Murphy who lives on the Ravenhill Rd in Belfast.

I have childhood memories of living in a small Armagh town during the war and going to the YMCA, which was in a primary school, and helping ladies make tea and sandwiches for the soldiers. They were billeted in an old mill. The regiments that I remember were the Lancashire Fusiliers, some Welsh and later Americans.

I remember going to buy sweets with 'points' which were taken by shopkeepers. Also the blackout bilnds, the gas masks and, of course, V.E. day with street parties. I also remember the day that bananas finally came back after the war!

There was a touring theatre which came to the town market house and of course there was 'Fair Day' in the towns too. Milk was delivered to us by pony & trap. Bread too was delivered around the streets by horse & cart. In those days We had to pay the doctor for a prescription.

Superstition was strong in those days and I recall that my father would never cut down a 'Fairy Thorn' tree. He said very bad luck would follow if he did.

A very memorable experience for me was a journey on 'The Flying Scotsman' in 1946.

Do you have special childhood memories (from any era)?

Please do contribute. You can either post them directly to the site by replying to this article or by starting a new one using the "Write Article " link at the top right of this page or If you'd prefer you can send an email to : ypam-online@bbc.co.uk

YOUR RESPONSE

Francie Mc - June '08
I'm only a youngster compared to some of the folks on this site. I was born in Lurgan ,Co Armagh, I now live in Southern Spain. I came into the world in 1941. I remember with fondness my childhood. I lived sometimes in my Grannies house in Church Walk. I remember as if it was yesterday holding on to her hand and going with her on a Thursday to collect her pension from the Post Office in Market Street. It was called ( up the town ) and when she had got the pension she made a series of visits to different shops . I remember the different smells in each one of the shops. I st one beside the Post office was Home and Colonial Stores for some bacon and flour , maybe some sugar and cheese. Then onto the butchers, McCuskers for some mince , sausages and pork fillet.Then down to Giltraps ,the bakers for a half dozen wheaten farls ( hot ) and half doz sodas.Maybe some potato farls. Then up to Mc Keowns for the Lurgan Mail and The Lurgan and Portadown Examiner. Whilst in there I would !
be given a little treat ( for being a good wee boy ) , it was maybe a wee lead cannon , with a wire trigger that was pulled back to fire the dead matchstick that had been inserted into the barrel. What a game I would have had when my Gran and I got back to the house, knocking down all the different armies of lead soldiers. That was after a visit to Marleys green grocers on the corner of Church Walk. Back in the house the food was organised with frying bacon and eggs, fried and dipped sodas and wheaten and mugs of tea that had been brewing whilst the pan was sizzling.Why was it then, all the Summers were hot, all the Winters were crisp and frosty, the rain was soft even when it was stair rods, and matchsticks were canoes racing down gutter rapids, and disappearing into metal chasams of drains. Those WERE the days and I have to get them onto paper before the old grey matter starts shrink and I am left with maybe thoughts of happy times that I will not be able to convey to t!
hose around me.Today( tG) I have a wealth of memories about the! Happy
days in Lurgan and prehaps I may share them here if I am permitted. Vaya con Dios, Francie.

Des Walker - Jan '07
I can certainly tell you that I was a "kid"living near Stormont(Castleview Rd),when the Germans bombed Belfast.We actually had a huge Bomb dig itself into the ground behind the house.We of course were evacuated until it was diffused. When riding to school and going to the city centre by double decker trolley bus the houses left standing had pieces blown away and you could still see lines on the still upright walls where the rooms had been. I remember Viscount Montgomery in a motorcade when the war was over, and all of us waving little flags as he passed by. The gas masks were very scary, and we had to keep them on us, just in case. I also have memories of mines being washed ashore near Millisle (thats a small village outside Donaghadee on the east coast.) The air-raid shelters were made for us kids to climb up on top of or hide inside after school, (we thought!) Oh yes,the "ration books"which allowed people to buy a pound of butter for so many coupons, or sugar or powdered eggs, etc.Of course fresh fish was available. If you want to exchange any memories.