Clifford, Anne Phoebe (Oral history)

British schoolchild in GB and France, 1931-1945

REEL 1: Background in London, 1931-1933: family; father's service in First World War; moved to France, 5/1933. Aspects of period in France, 1933-1940: memories of visits to London and Ventnor; education; attitude to speaking French; awareness of rise of Nazis; memory of outbreak of war while in GB, 9/1939; returned to France, 10/1939; memories of German friend Gerda; question of evacuation to GB. REEL 2 Continues: reaction to French surrender, 5/1940; preparations for evacuation; description of journey to Marseilles; air raids. Aspects of voyage to GB, 1940: description of conditions aboard collier; number of passengers; story of torpedo attack; arrived in Gibraltar; food; memory of seeing HMS Hood; sailed aboard RMS Viceroy of India to GB; conditions aboard ship; food; disembarked Plymouth during air raid, 7/1940. Aspects of period in GB, 1940-1945: lived in London; opinion of British schoolchildren. REEL 3 Continues: problem of adjustment to life in GB; relations with other pupils; various memories of schools and education; attitude to fear; reason for wanting to work for Foreign Office; awareness of progress of war; knitted socks for sailors. REEL 4 Continues: academic ability; memories of VE Day celebrations, 5/1945; reaction to noise of air raid siren. Post-war life: rationing; clothing; attitude to money; employment as secretary with Foreign Office; attitude to Germans.