Our memories by Perry House residents                  

Fred's memories......

When I was 5

In my Christmas stocking I found an apple, an orange and sixpence. With sixpence you could go to Woolworth's and buy a pop gun or a printing set. For Christmas dinner we had pork and vegetables which we grew on our allotment. There would be a homemade Christmas pudding with threepenny bits hidden in it.

During the war

I was in the Navy so there was no celebration except the youngest sailor on the ship was made Captain for the day. As for presents we probably got an extra tot of rum. I was able to sometimes send parcels of food home to England to my wife and parents because we visited places where food wasn't rationed like it was in England  I remember particularly sending packets of tea home – it was always Orange Pekoe!

Last Christmas - 2005

I visited my son and received presents, mainly clothes. For lunch we had turkey and pork and vegetables but they were not home grown

Len's memories......

When I was 5

In my Christmas stocking I found an apple, an orange, some sweets and a toy gun. There was no television then. We used to play cards and board games and games like Pass the Parcel. We had chicken to eat and vegetables from our allotment and a home made Christmas pudding with a sixpence in it

During the war

I was in the army during the war and we didn’t stop the war because it was Christmas – however we did get a basic Christmas dinner when we got back from the front line which we ate out of our mess tins. We might have got a cracker but there were no presents for us during the war.

Last Christmas - 2005

I received lots of presents from my family - clothes, CD's , slippers and shoes.

Olive's memories......

When I was 5

In my Christmas stocking there would be an orange, sweets and nuts and maybe a book - probably by Enid Blyton. We had pork to eat - I remember the dinners were far too big!

During the war

During the war we were lucky because we had soldiers billeted near our house. Because I had older sisters the soldiers often came to visit and brought us presents - choc bars were my favourite. We used to keep chickens in the garden so when it came to Christmas dinner it would be one of our chickens that we would eat along with vegetables from Dad's allotment.

Last Christmas - 2005

I visited one of my daughters and had a lovely day with turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies to eat and I received presents like toiletries and clothes.

Jack's memories......

When I was 5 or 6

I was only 6 when the war started. For Christmas I had wooden toys like a fort or a cart made with old pram wheels. We also had puppets made from old socks. For Christmas dinner we had chicken and vegetables from the garden. We used to play games like Hide and Seek and we sang carols and played with our new toys. After the war I remember my father coming home at Christmas with a fresh turkey from Smithfield Market in London. He always used to bring home records of popular music of the time.

Last Christmas - 2005

I received presents like DVD's on fishing, a bottle of whisky and chocolates. We had turkey and all the trimmings for lunch. 

Brenda's memories......

When I was 5

I was only 5 when the war started. I was one of nine children and my family were very poor so we didn’t have many presents. I had a small stocking at Christmas time with an orange and a penny and a small dolly in it. We played games like Ludo and cards. We had chicken and vegetables for Christmas dinner and Christmas pudding. We had a Christmas party at school and a carol concert.

Last Christmas - 2005

We had a family get together, always a roast dinner with chicken and lots of vegetables. I received lovely presents - a jumper, hankies, biscuits and a tape.

Bab's memories - now aged 81......

When I was about 10 years old

We played games like Blind Man's Buff. We had chicken for dinner - never turkey in those days.

My best present ever .......

was the birth of my first baby just after Christmas

Edith's memories......

I was about 12 when the war began. During the war I remember receiving a pair of pyjamas for Christmas which was a very special present because clothes were on coupons. In my Christmas stocking I found a penny, an orange and a small chocolate Father Christmas. After breakfast I remember how we would all go into the front room where my father would have lit the fire. That was a very special treat for Christmas Day.

Jack's memories......

When I was about 5 years old

My Dad gave me an army truck with a tank and men.

Last Christmas - 2005

I got a Star Wars DVD and book and game but my best present ever was my set of Marvel Classic Figurines like Spiderman. We had a special buffet lunch on Christmas Day and we had a Christmas meal at a restaurant on Christmas Eve.

Oliver's memories......

When I was 5 years old

I got a teddy bear, my first toy gun and some money.

Last Christmas - 2005

I got a Star Wars book, a Darth Vader Idol and my best present ever was a MP3 player. We had chicken, roast potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire pudding for dinner with ice cream for pudding.

James's memories - age 9......

My best present ever 

was when I was a baby - it was a dummy!

My favourite food at Christmas time

is chicken and carrots and pancakes with syrup.

What I enjoy most about Christmas

being with my family.

Jake's memories - age 9......

My best present ever 

was my teddy bear when I was three years old.

What I enjoy most about Christmas

is having dinner. My favourite food at Christmas time is turkey and vegetables.

Ashley's memories - age 9......

I received lots of presents including a stereo, CD's, DVD's a light, bag, books and socks. For dinner we had turkey, potatoes, stuffing, sausages wrapped in bacon and Yorkshire pudding. At school we had a party and we did the pantomime Dick Whittington.