The Children's Tale

With a large house of their own, the Ward family took in a number of evacuees: Pat Burns, Eileen Morton, Margaret Stockton, Paddy Latham, and Vera Horn.

Heather recalls: "They were an absolute delight. We had such fun, playing leapfrog in the garden, walking with the dogs and skating in winter. My older sister was away at school and my brother was younger than me, so it was lovely to have them in the house. I remember them being really lovely with me and we had such a good time.”

Between March and the end of July 1941, Hull was the target of a series of devastating bombing raids, which would become known as the Hull Blitz. During the course of the war, Hull was the worst hit city in England outside of London.

In the early hours of 18th July, the air-raid siren sounded. Enid and her parents hurried out into the street, where they met her grandparents, Ada and George, her Aunt Dorothy (Dolly) and Dorothy's brother Uncle John – they lived at number 24, just across the road from the public shelter.

Together, the family had a quick discussion about where to go, and came to different conclusions. Enid, Arthur and Gertie dashed back home to shelter in the cupboard under the stairs, whereas Aunt Dolly, Uncle John and Enid’s grandparents went on to the public shelter. Sadly, that night the Franklin Street shelter received a direct hit.

Aunt Dolly – Dorothy Watts, aged 36 – was killed and both Grandmother Ada and Uncle John were seriously injured and taken to Hull Royal Infirmary. The family story is that Uncle John was found in the next street, having been blown there by the force of the blast.

Enid and her parents had a very lucky escape. After the all-clear sounded, they emerged from the cupboard into their back yard, to discover an unexploded bomb blocking their escape route. Years later, Enid would describe the scene to her daughter, Jean, explaining that they had to jump over the bomb to get out of the yard.

Brunswick Avenue had been devastated. The Hull Savings Bank and public shelter in the bank gardens were destroyed, along with the cinema and local Co-op. The force of the explosion moved the wardens' post by several feet and Fred, Enid's brother, had his Messenger Corps bike crushed.

Enid's house had been seriously damaged during the 18th July raid was serious, and at the time of the royal visit her family were still camping in their wrecked home. As Enid’s headed out, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royals, her mother said, “If you see the Queen, can you ask her – where the hell are we going to live?”

Enid had fond memories of the Royal visit, and was pleased that the King and Queen had come to Hull to see the devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe. When she later saw the film footage of the visit, taken by Ernest Symmons of Beverley-based Debenham & Co, she was delighted to spot herself at the front of the crowd – her friends reckoned that she looked just like Princess Elizabeth, who was exactly the same age.

In 1946, Enid went to a dance at the Hull YPI (Young People’s Institute), where she met Charles (Charlie) Monkhouse, who was celebrating his 26th birthday.

He was being demobbed through Hull from the Durham Light Infantry. They hit it off straight away, and a tearful Enid later waved Charlie off from Paragon Station, as he shouted “I’ll be back for you!

Charlie was as good as his word! As soon as he’d been demobbed, he hurried back to Hull and the couple were married at St Andrew’s Church, Drypool on 5th October 1946, having known each other for just seven months.

After they were married, Charlie and Enid moved to Consett, Co. Durham; their daughter, Jean, was born in May 1948.

In 1953, they returned to Hull and lived at 4 Wilton Avenue, Franklin Street, next door to Enid’s parents. It was a very happy marriage and lasted until Enid’s death in 1994. Charlie died aged 89 in 2009.

From the memories and family history compiled by Jean Wastling (née Monkhouse) and Lisa Wastling, Enid’s daughter and granddaughter.

Six year old Pauline Searby, was one of hundreds of children who took part in the Victory Parade, processing through the city streets in fancy dress.

Pauline’s was dressed as the Victory Fairy: the V down the front of her costume was red, white and blue and she carried a magic wand.

"As for Queen’s Gardens, I remember there were people dancing in the fountain." recalls Pauline, who lived in Brooklands Road.

For the residents of Lilac Avenue, Lime Tree Avenue and Chestnut Grove, a slap-up Victory Tea was the order of the day. It was held on the green in the middle of the three streets.

Les Green, seen here in his cowboy costume, lived at 42 Chestnut Grove with his mum, dad, and grandma, Ethel Buckton. Grandma Ethel is the lady in black, talking to Les as he enjoys his tea.

Les’s cousin, Rita McAvan, is also pictured here, dressed as Little Red Riding Hood. Her dad, Hubert, can be seen in the V.E. Day Celebrations film, wearing a beret.