A Wartime Christmas in Dore

Imperial War Museum, © IWM (Art.IWM PST 16433)

Childhood Memories of Christmas in 1944

In this post two longstanding residents talk about their memories of Christmas in Dore and Totley from 80 years ago. In addition there are some comments from contributors to the Dore Oral History Project. I was surprised by how similar it was to today and how traditions prevail. The children of 1944 were well and truly in holiday mode as school Christmas holidays lasted 4 weeks. It was explained to me that schools were open on Saturday mornings to compensate.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day started with the traditional present opening by the children. It was a pillow case rather than a stocking, which I had imagined. Oranges were there as a real treat. There was a Christmas post and people tried to time their cards to arrive on the day. There were decorations in the house. The artificial Christmas tree came out each year as it was difficult to access any real ones. The decorations were rather ancient from before the war and holly and other greens supplemented it.

Toys – Old and New

Imperial War Museum, © IWM (EPH 3663)

What were the toys which children loved to receive? A train set in the attic was popular and additions to the engines and carriages were gratefully received. It was interesting to note that often these toys were second hand or hand made. Children did not have many toys but they were encouraged to use what was around and use their imaginations. Old prams could be taken apart and the wheels would make an excellent trolley to whiz down Furniss Avenue.

The immediate neighbourhood was quite close and those without children would give presents to the children. One memory is of receiving a Raleigh bicycle; a special present for Christmas and also for passing the 11 plus exam. This was bought from Halfords in town and cycled back. No mean feat for an 11 year old. Grandparents who lived locally would entertain the grandchildren on Christmas Day and one of the interviewees remembered an exploding snowman with small presents being thrown out to the children.

A Party and Presents for the Choir Boys

Each year families went to church at 9.30am on Christmas Day and boys were often in the choir. The choirmaster, Arthur Farnsworth, was central to the children’s celebrations in the wartime Christmas. He would collect from the wealthy people in Dore Road and obtain sufficient funds to provide each choirboy with one or two superb books which were given to them at a Christmas party. The boys had to be on their best behaviour. The choir party was held in the Village Hall and was the big event of Christmas. Then the boy wrote to the person who had given the book a thank you letter. There was a sticker inside donated by so and so.

Food and Entertainment

Memories of the Christmas food surprised me. I had thought rationing would affect the type of food. Not so in Dore and Totley as there were strong links with the local farmers. The children were expected to work on growing food in the garden and on the allotments. There was healthy home grown food and honey. People had their way of saving up some ingredients through the year. So for one of my interviewees, they had a turkey and the usual accompaniments. Christmas puddings were made and a silver 'thrupence' in it on Christmas Day. There was also Christmas cake. The friends from over the road came to Christmas dinner and then they reciprocated on Boxing Day for one interviewee. It was more economical to share in this way.

After dinner the radio was on and they sat round and listened to the King's speech. In the years around about 1944 Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United played their Christmas Day matches which was an alternative entertainment. Boys played the traditional football game on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and there was rivalry between Dore and Totley. The boys' team was in the Hope Valley league. Things could become quite heated with scrapping in one corner of the field or touchline because they did not agree with a decision.

Sirens Sounded on Christmas Eve

There were "Doodlebugs" flying over in late 1944 and sirens would frequently wail. On Christmas Eve 1944, "45 Doodlebugs were launched off the Yorkshire coast from beneath Heinkel He111 bombers flying over the North Sea. The bombers released the V1s aimed at Manchester, then turned back to base."

Of those V1s that didn't reach their target one fell in Beighton and, it is rumoured, one may have fallen at Ringinglow. Overall though, the children of Dore were able to enjoy their Christmas at a time when their parents were going without and sacrificing much for the war effort.

Thanks go to Judith Hubbard and David Kirkman who have contributed their memories and the Dore Oral History Project transcriptions. These three toys were carried around through the war and have survived to this day. They are a black Hawaiian girl doll, a Snow White (received before the war and bought at Abbeydale Picture House) and 'Jock' the dog face softy who recently completed the teddy zip wire challenge from the top of Christ Church Dore Bell Tower (Autumn 2023).

Links

"How Britain Celebrated Christmas During The Second World War" can be found on the Imperial War Museum web site. (opens in a new tab)

More information about the Christmas Eve V1 attack on Manchester can be found on aircrashsites.co.uk (opens in a new tab)