What was it like for children growing up in rural Suffolk during World War 2?
Elsie and her family live in a small double-storey cottage in Bungay, Suffolk. Every night she lies awake listening anxiously for the sound of the German bomber planes. Often they come and the air raid siren sounds signalling that the family must leave their beds and venture out to the air raid shelter in the garden.
Despite the war raging across the English channel, daily life continues with its highlights, such as Christmas and the traditional Boxing Day fox hunt, and its wary moments when Elsie learns the stories of Jack Frost and the ghostly and terrifying Black Shuck that haunts the coastline and countryside of East Anglia.
Includes some authentic World War 2 recipes

As I read, While the Bombs Fell, I had a deep sense of nostalgia despite growing up in a different era… One of peace time. I think it’s probably to do with some of things I could relate to such as the use of a mangle, a galvanised tub to bathe in, and having only an outside toilet in the backyard.
It is an enjoyable read that serves to remind us how fortunate we are to have the the things we have today and to be living in peacetime Britain.
Always a pleasure, da-AL. ๐
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Tx for introducing us to a new book – I love anything to do with books ๐
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Youโre welcome!
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๐
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Thanks!
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Likewise, my friend. Thank you for your kind comment. ๐
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Sounds great, Clare… Hope you enjoy the read. ๐
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Great review.
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Thanks Kevin for sharing your review. It is very empathetic to see how the older lived through the horrors of war. I just look forward to a time where those who are suffering the brunts of war in different corners of the world can have peace.
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I enjoyed your review, Kevin. I have Robbie’s book on my Kindle but haven’t started it yet. Bungay is my nearest town so am interested to read what it was like here during the war.
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Thanks for popping by G! ๐
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Thank you for your support, Denise. ๐
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Excellent! Thanks, Bette! ๐
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Thank you, Darlene! ๐
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I will check it out next time I get around to your blog… I try to get around to everyone at least once a month and there are a lot of folks to get through, but I enjoy connecting with all I can. So bare with me. ๐
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Lol… I’ve made similar mistakes. ๐
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Sounds very interesting. Fortunately, I haven’t had to experience war but like you I do have experience of mangles and galvanized tubs and outside toilets!
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I enjoyed this book, too. It really makes you think about how lucky we are to have all the modern conveniences. Great review:)
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Nice review, Kevin. I’ve got Robbie & Elsie’s book on my kindle! ๐
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I enjoyed this book too. A great review.
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It seems that we both like and write music, as I have listened to some of your songs. There are plenty of my musical compositions and arrangements for you to relish in my said post, should you be curious or inclined to connect with SoundEagle in the sonic domain through the universal language of music.
May you find this autumn very much to your liking and highly conducive to your writing, thinking and blogging!
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Hi Kevin,
Please be informed that my said post will take a while to load completely, and will benefit from being viewed on a large screen of a desktop and laptop computer, since the lengthy multimedia post and my blog could be too powerful and feature-rich for iPad, iPhone, tablet or other portable devices to handle properly or adequately.
Ahhh, I see that you have found the said post, and I shall await your leaving me a feedback at the comment section there.
Also, I just realize that in my haste, I have replied to the wrong commenter: instead of replying to Teagan R. Geneviene whom I mentioned in my earlier comment, I have replied to Mae Clair by mistake. Hence, as a result of Murphy’s law, I am going to reply to the right person now by repeating the following:
I also concur with Teagan R. Geneviene. Thank you for reminding us how lucky we are in peacetime.
During the World War 2, Vera Lynn was singing “Nightingale Sang on Berkeley Square” in 1942. Madam Lynn must be over 100 years old by now, if I am not mistaken.
When the haunting Warsaw Concerto was being broadcast as the theme song from the movie “Dangerous Moonlight”, my old friend Fred Atkin had the following story to tell at 08:19 PM on 19/04/2005:
In addition, my late mother was twice nearly sent to an internment camp as an enemy alien during the Japanese occupation, as detailed in my latest post published at https://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2019/08/31/khai-khim-for-always-and-beyond-goodbye/
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Yep… already found that out… The hard way. ๐ ๐ ๐
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Thanks, John!
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Hi Kevin,
Please be informed that my said post will take a while to load completely, and will benefit from being viewed on a large screen of a desktop and laptop computer, since the lengthy multimedia post and my blog could be too powerful and feature-rich for iPad, iPhone, tablet or other portable devices to handle properly or adequately.
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Excellent review, Kevin. Congratulations. Robbie.
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Thanks, Jacquie. Itโs very satisfying to hear others feel the same way about a work one reviews. ๐
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I had that same sense of gratitude when reading this book, Kevin. Robbie did a wonderful job of placing the reader into the lives of the children, enabling us to view the war through their eyes.
Great review!
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The pleasure was all mine, Robbie. Kudos on a fabulous work. ๐
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What a delightful surprise to find your review for While the Bombs Fell here today, Kevin. I appreciate your reading it and writing such a lovely review.
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Thanks, Cath!
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It always amazes me how much people can share about the wars. Thank you for the added insights. I will check your post. ๐
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Thanks, Jacqui… Greatly appreciate that! ๐
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And to you sweet, Teagan! ๐
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Always a pleasure, Harmony! Thanks for reading my review. ๐
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Thank you, Mae! ๐
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What an interesting book. Nice review.
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Hi Kevin Cooper,
I also concur with Teagan R. Geneviene. Thank you for reminding us how lucky we are in peacetime.
During the World War 2, Vera Lynn was singing “Nightingale Sang on Berkeley Square” in 1942. Madam Lynn must be over 100 years old by now, if I am not mistaken.
When the haunting Warsaw Concerto was being broadcast as the theme song from the movie “Dangerous Moonlight”, my old friend Fred Atkin had the following story to tell at 08:19 PM on 19/04/2005:
In addition, my late mother was twice nearly sent to an internment camp as an enemy alien during the Japanese occupation, as detailed in my latest post published at https://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2019/08/31/khai-khim-for-always-and-beyond-goodbye/
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What a nice review, Kevin. I agree–books like this make me feel fortunate to be living in a peaceful time.
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Lovely review, Kev. I agree completely. Best to you and to Robbie. Happy Halloween hugs!
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This is a great review. Thanks for sharing, Kevin ๐
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I can’t imagine how hard it must have been in Britain during that time. A nice review for Robbie’s book!
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