Memories of Christmas 1942

The British were more hopeful as Christmas approached

By David Knowles

With the tide of war turning, there was much to celebrate at Christmas 1942. The Allies had tasted victory and while British children couldn't look forward to many toys, a lucky few would get to taste Coca-Cola for the first time too.

As Christmas 1942 approached - with the memory of our victory over the Germans at El Alamein still fresh - we felt that at last we could more easily enjoy the festive days, marred in previous years by disappointments and defeats.

Although we were a long way from feeling that we were really on the road to victory, at least things were improving.

The Germans were on the run in North Africa

Britain was now full of Americans, Canadians and others who were not only aiding our defence but looking forward to an eventual invasion of Europe.

As a child in the seaside town of Brighton, I felt the changing atmosphere of those times. I remember telling my parents that hopefully our days of hiding in the basement when we heard the wailing air raid sirens would soon be over.

We had Canadian troops billeted in houses close to us and many of these had become our good friends.

Santa with a Canadian accent

In the previous August, these men had taken part in the ill-fated Dieppe invasion. Many had not returned from the operation - and those that had, we noticed, were downcast and tense. Local children trod wearily for a time and visits to the camps became far less frequent for a while.

However, in December, the Canadians said there would be special Christmas parties for local children, to which my friend Michael Butcher was invited.

A massive tea was laid on - a feast for children used to food rationing - and each child was alloted a Canadian soldier as an honorary uncle for the day, says Mr Butcher.

'Hopefully our days of hiding in the basement would soon be over'

"We were picked up in army lorries and on arriving at the camp, each soldier took charge of a child and gave each of them a bag of sweets, chocolate and chewing gum. We also had 'Coke', we hadn't a clue what this strange drink was, but soon found out!"

A Santa - with a Canadian accent - handed out gifts. For the boys, there were tanks and books and the models used to teach the soldiers aircraft recognition. "I was lucky to have a 'Marauder' twin-engined bomber," says Mr Butcher.

"All too soon the lorry arrived to take us home - in the eyes of the soldiers were tears as they remembered loved ones in Canada. When we left the lorries, we were given yet another bag of sweets - a Christmas I shall remember forever!"

Carol singing

For the children not lucky enough to meet the Canadian Santa, there were very few toys in the shops and the rations of food, clothes and even fuel were meagre.

My parents spent many days finding toys for Christmas - that is at the right prices. I remember that they managed and we were happy with what we got.

Despite the blackout my sister, myself and many of our friends went carol singing the streets near our homes.

The Germans were tasting defeat in Russia

We sang very well and - despite the rationing - were given fruit, sweets and coins, even half-crowns.

There was one flat belonging to an elderly German couple. They were Jewish and had fled Germany before the war - just in time.

This shy, but polite, couple, could only speak just about enough English to get by. It was suggested that we should sing Silent Night - because it was of German origin.

We sang this, and they came to the door and listened - even asking us to sing the first verse again. We gladly obliged - then wishing them a Merry Christmas, left them shyly smiling at us as we continued on our way.

Everyone felt that this Christmas was the beginning of more peaceful days - certainly more peaceful the previous three years - and that before too long we would hopefully see the end of the war.

I know that in people's memories that Christmas of 1942 became a very special milestone.