Miller, Lettice (IWM interview)

British schoolchild in Gloucestershire, GB, 1914-1918; civilian served with Women's Land Army and volunteer helper with POW's parcels in Hampshire, GB, 1939-1945

REEL 1: Aspects of period in Gloucestershire, GB, 1914-1918: memories of outbreak of war and local recruitment, 8/1914; Armistice celebrations, 11/1918; food shortages; mother's service with Women's Land Army; memories of father; effects of war on education; memories of local army camp and concerts for troops; amusing story of Germans; death of father, 11/1918; moved to Hampshire; marriage and family. Aspects of period as civilian and service with Women's Land Army in Hampshire, GB, 1939-1942: reaction to outbreak of war, 9/1939; fear of air raids; memories of declaration of war, 3/Sep/1939; husband's military service; daily life during war; rationing; raising money for Red Cross; opinion of Buffalo butter; opinion of diet and state of health; home grown fruit and vegetables; making home- made jam; children's rations; petrol ration; public transport; question of sending children away; attitude of children to war; air raids; story of bomb landing on school in Winchester; air raid precautions; story of German daylight raid; joined Women's Land Army. REEL 2 Continues: description of duties as area representative with Women's Land Army; interviewing candidates; opinion of organisation of Women's Land Army; accommodation for girls; recreational activities and social life; daily routine and duties; petrol allowance. Aspects of period at Winchester Barracks, Hampshire, GB, 1942-1945: description of voluntary work packing parcels for POWs from Rifle Bde and 60th Rifles; contents of parcels; goods issued from stories; liaison with Red Cross; coupons; paperwork; family requests; communication with POWs; clothing; razors; prohibited items; packing materials; size and weight of parcels; number of staff; files on prisoners of war; continuation of work after end of war; letters of thanks from prisoners and parents; financing; opinion of quality of clothing. REEL 3 Continues: story of visit by Queen Elizabeth; reaction to death of manager Mrs Mansell; memories of preparations for D-Day landings in Hampshire area, 1944; security measures; story of fire; relations between troops and local civilians; return of husband from India; VE day celebrations; story of friend keeping child ignorant of war.