A Day In My Life

Mrs Helen Scott

The day I will tell you about happened just after the end of (World) War 2. My husband was home after serving 4 years in the Middle East. Living with his mother, we were keen to get settled in a home of our own as a family with our son who was three years old and had only know his dad on a photo. I had been trying hard to get a house, going round house agents but it was a thankless task as so many people were in the same position.

This day I heard the postman at the door. He had brought a letter from the Dundee Housing Department telling us we had been allocated a house. It was wonderful! I was given the address which was at the other side of the town. After breakfast I hurried over to tell my parents - no phones for us them, we couldn't afford it - after the excitement died down, we set off to see the house - which turned out to be a Prefab - whoever thought of the idea of prefabs for the soldiers returning after the war was a genius., they were wonderful little bungalows with all mod-cons. With so many luxuries - a fridge and a heated towel rail in the bathroom. The kitchen had a fold-down table which fitted into the wall, when not in use, a clothed boiler for wash-days.

The house was heated by a stove-fire in the living room but the system wasn't too successful so we depended on a few paraffin and electric heaters and warm clothes to keep warm.

Furniture was hard to get (even utility???), but it was adequate when we were able to buy it and the neighbours were very kind and sent the word around where carpets and rugs were available so bit by bit we eventually turned the prefab into a comfortable home.

We were very happy in our prefab and after a while we had a daughter - our family was complete and we continued to live there for 13 years.

When my mother first saw the address she said "oh that's old lovers loan" - it was aptly named because most of the people living there were young couple with small children and all so happy to have a house at last - a prefab.

Looking back I am say to say that day when the postie delivered that letter was one of the happiest days of my life, and I will soon be 89 years old!