close this book"I thought I'd learnt everything at 15 ; "a teenager during the 1940s
View the documentBackground
View the documentEffects of War on life
View the documentSocialising
View the documentMusic
View the documentPlaying with friends
View the documentPocket Money
View the documentGoing to work
View the documentLeaving School
View the documentCommunity
View the documentPicture Theatre
View the documentDances
View the documentEnd of War
View the documentPhotography and Film
View the documentFashions
View the documentBodgies and Widgies / Milkbar Cowboys
View the documentWedding in 1945
View the documentSmoking and Drinking
View the documentLocal Maori
View the documentReligion
View the documentWar

Effects of War on life

Vaguely remembers Putaruru becoming a borough with 1,000 people in 1944. Biggest event was VE Day, when everyone went out in streets and "yahooed". Recollects being chastised for taking blackout paper off windows during war.

Social life restricted because of petrol rationing. Rationing affected the cost of things. Mother stayed home, and made clothes. School trousers made by mother were lined with flour bags.