"It was very, very grim. My mother was allowed a little bit of extra butter because she was in poor health.
"We used to go to Barry to collect it - my elder brother Joe, my sister Dilys, and I used to tag along with them. We were registered with the Maypole for butter and cheese - I can remember there used to be queues halfway down Thompson Street just waiting for it.
"Margarine tasted dreadful in those days, so my sister Katie and myself had an idea. We made watery mustard to put on the margarine which made it more edible.
"Sweets were very very scarce, bread was rationed, but we children learned to live off the land.
"Dad was the breadwinner and had to have all the sustenance that was available. We never starved, but we could always eat more. In season there was a good supply of blackberries, hazelnuts and chestnuts on the estate.
"Although we kept a few chickens mother used to sell them. If we had an egg, it was hard boiled and cut in half. But at Easter time we were allowed a whole egg each - marvellous!"
Alfred was interviewed by Penny Arnold for the family history programme
Look Up Your Genes on BBC Radio Wales.
