Throughout six years of conflict beginning 3 September 1939 military manoeuvres bombs & exhortations to greater dedication to the War Effort became the normality for children. For the young this was a time of great excitement. Imagine the thrill of Anderson Shelters built in back gardens concrete blocks & barbed-wire sprouting on beaches soldiers & tanks in the streets the Battle of Britain & those spectacular dogfights the Blitz & masses of shrapnel to collect searchlights lighting up the night sky American servicemen appearing & their inexhaustible supplies of chewing gum! From Dunkirk to D-Day through Doodlebugs to Victory there was hardly a dull moment & remarkably little fear for children as they learned collected & played under these bizarre circumstances.