There were many heroic people on the Homefront who suffered through the Blitz. My grandmother was active during the blitz. She was able to drive and as far as I know she helped drive Firetrucks or Ambulance vehicles (or both). After the War, she collapsed with some condition, perhaps PTSD? Treatment was primitive and she died at just 54, in an institution- leaving 4 children! The youngest was about 9.
Londoners certainly suffered the most, Barbara. We lived in the NE, north of Newcastle, and I have memories of the war, as a young child. We were lucky as far as the Blitz was concerned. Newcastle was hit many times, because of the shipyards, but our coastal town mostly escaped. We had a submarine training base in the port,the sailors used to come and eat, sing and dance etc at our house, Gran on the piano, but somehow the German bombers never found it. Plenty of air-raid warnings though, and the anxiety and deprivations that everyone had. And my dear Dad away, in the RNVR.
For a look at the home front from a Police view the Metropolitan Police War Diaries are available `Free` Browse records of other archives | The National Archives MEPO 4. War diaries | The National Archives I downloaded the 1940 ones and read the Police accounts of the Blitz, New perspective ? Kyle
Small Police photo album MEPO 4. Book of photographs showing bomb damage surrounding Receiver's property at 109... | The National Archives Book of photographs showing bomb damage Kyle
Women certainly drove ambulances, but they were not accepted as firefighters, and as there was no distinction between the drivers and firefighters forming the rest of the crew, she would not have driven a fire engine.
