The Fire Warden
Last updated: 29 June 2006
Tommy Esteban from Cae Hopkin was a miner at Ynyscledwyn colliery for the whole of his working life. During the war he also volunteered as an auxillary Fire Warden. He told his story when he visited the BBC Wales Bus in Ystradgynlais in February 2006.
Written by Tommy Esteban
"I was brought up in Cae Hopkin. I was 17 years of age when the war started. At the beginning of the war we were given identity cards with our full name address and number. We were also given ration books for food. The shopkeeper would then stamp the book as it was used.
It came on the wireless that there was to be a war effort. This meant that we were to volunteer to take part in the home guard, local defence and air warden service. I chose the fire service at Abercrave and became a member of the Auxillary Fire Service.
At that time, there were no street lights and we were told to close all curtains at blackout time. In the event of an air raid, a warning would come from the colliery hooter. We could hear the German bombers over head. When the air raid was over, the colliery hooter would be heard again signalling the all clear.
When the war was over it was such a sight to see the lights on the street once again and everything coming back to normality."
Written by Tommy Esteban
your comments
Abercrave
I knew the whole family and what Tommy said was correct
Sun Apr 11 17:12:41 2010
Rebecca, Speke
i think this story is really good 4 kids in primary and secondary as it is full of information on identity cards and ration books thank you tommy eston for giving me some extra information on the second world war
Sun Nov 30 19:42:37 2008
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