William interviews his Grandmother

Do you still remember the War?

A little, I was 4 when it ended.

What do you think of first when you hear the word "war"?

Horror, damage, suffering and death.

Do you know how your parents got through the War?

My father was a farmer and didn't go to fight in WW2, he had to stay at home and farm the land to provide milk (he was a dairy farmer) and some crops as supplies were very low. My mother was a young mother herself and helped on the farm.

Has your family had any particular experiences in connection with the War?

I remember as a child we had prisoners of war on our farm in Hampshire - Germans - they were very nice people and worked diligently on the farm. My late husband Brian, your Grandad, his father was in the RAF (Royal Air Force) during the war.

What happened after the War?

Things became a lot easier everywhere but it took a while for things to get back to normal I think.

Did anybody in your family experience hunger?

No thankfully, not really. I remember the ration books, I still have them.

Do you believe something could be done to prevent wars from happening?

I think preventing war is a very difficult thing to do. However, I think if people were allowed to live happier lives, motivation for conflict (amongst both politicians and civilians) would lessen. I think people should also be more tolerant of the views of other in global society, and respect other countries wishes. Maintaining good relationships with those nations nearby - for us, especially, in Europe - is paramount for the maintenance of international peace and security.