WHAT luxuries they went in for in the old country! I believe today if you had their meat ration, it would not cause you to blink.

At the beginning of winter there was always a large sack of flour and six large tins of Cocky's Joy (black treacle), a bag of brown sugar and six tins of Aunt Mary's baking powder stowed up. White sugar was out of the question and was classed as a luxury, although it was only twopence per pound.

One advantage was that the public school we attended was only a stone's throw from our home. We learnt all about Ancient History and Moses riding the pig though Jerusalem, as well as Noah and the ark berthing on Mount Ararat.

I have, since then, gained a fair education dealing with rogues. A grand old lady, Mrs Fulton, used to teach Sunday School, and we never missed attending, rain or snow. She would tell us all about hell and the devil with his pitchfork. If we told lies or stole anything we would go to hell and be held over a fire and roasted. After the service she would hand around boiled lollies as an inducement to become a regular attendant.

There was no such thing as the dole in those days. If there wasn't enough to eat you had a drink of water and took your belt up a hole.

Sometimes a neighbour would kill a fat beast that may have a lump on the jaw and couldn't be sold. We would all be in for a handout, which would be a luxury. Plovers and mud eels, which were classed as good wholesome food, were frequently on the menu.

No one had a more loving mother. Those early years are filled with happy memories, though there were occasional moments of terrified anxiety.

I can still see her face in the light of the blazing stars, and recall the happy smile she would wear when she prepared a meal we all enjoyed.

The only entertainment in those days was the annual school picnic, which was held on Horsey Swamp. Was it a feast day - boiled fruit puddings and assorted cakes! There was no class distinction, anyone who owned a good spring cart was looked on as a semi-squatter.

Indian and Syrian hawkers were very numerous. The majority were on foot, carrying a bundle of drapery and a box containing scented soap and perfumes.