A Wartime Romance in Brentford

Book tells of couple's struggles in Britain in the forties

A new e-book 'A Wartime Romance' is an account of the writer's parents' marriage and early married life in post-war Brentford.

Julie Jakeway tells how Ray Llewellyn and Joan Beardsworth began their married life in 1944 living with Joan's parents in Enfield Road East, Brentford, (now re-named Enfield Walk) until they eventually moved into rented rooms in South Ealing.

They married six months before Ray, serving in the RAF, was posted to India. Recently discovered letters sent by Ray to his new bride bring into focus the post-war struggles of demobilised service personnel who returned home to find housing shortages, food rationing, a scarcity of jobs and, in some cases, broken relationships.

So taking into account all the hardship, what was the reality of post-war Britain? In many cases disappointment, demoralisation, defeat and despair. But hope sprang eternal: their anticipation of future prosperity drove this generation forward into the fifties and beyond.

If you have memories or stories of your own family experiences in post-war Brentford Julie would be delighted to hear from you. Her email address is julie.jakeway@gmail.com.

A Wartime Romance is available to download from the Amazon web site on to Kindle devices or on to any computer with a Kindle app (price £1.96).

July 9, 2014