When war was declared, Epsom was not unprepared.

Since the early 1930’s, the authorities had been required by the Government to organise air raid precautions.

Air raid wardens were recruited and trained, by 1939 Epsom had 140 full-time paid wardens and more than 500 volunteers.

They worked in teams of eight at 55 different posts throughout the borough.

In 1939 two large air raid shelters were built in Rosebery Park and Clay Hill Green.

Later in the war two large underground shelters were constructed, one on Epsom Downs and the other in Ashley Road.

The latter was 30 foot underground and fitted with 1,500 bunk beds and a canteen.

Those not able to access a shelter, or who preferred not to, had to rely on a do-it-yourself Anderson shelter.

In September 1941, after prolonged bombing, the Morrison shelter was introduced, which had a heavy steel table under which people could protect themselves from falling debris.

Food was also a priority.

The Dig for Victory campaign aimed to inspire self sufficiency. 2,300 allotments were created within the borough.

Farms were used to full capacity and many women volunteered for the Land Army.

By 1943 the harvest in the UK was twice the pre-war figure.

Men between the ages of 17 and 65 not already in the forces formed the Local Defence Volunteers, which was inaugurated in May 1940, when a possible German invasion of Britain seemed a distinct possibility.

They became the Home Guard in July 1940, but of course were known affectionately as Dad’s Army.

The Epsom battalion was 56th Surrey.

Units were stationed in the Epsom Grandstand, College Road, Woodcote Road in the grounds of the RAC club, Epsom College, Langley Vale, West Street, the electricity station in Depot Road and East Street.

Members of the Home Guard from Epsom and Ewell manned four 3.7 inch anti-aircraft guns in Raynes Park.

My mother, who lived in New Malden for all her 89 years, always claimed New Malden’s railway line was a early secondary target in the bombing of London, so no doubt the Raynes Park AA guns saw some early action.

Bombing raids affected Epsom on and off from May 1940, till June 1944.

A V1 rocket [doodlebug] destroyed Ashley Road Police Station on July 3, 1944.

It is estimated 25.000 bombs were dropped in the borough and 30 doodlebugs exploded.

In all, 33 people were killed during the raids and hundreds injured.

Rationing began in January 1940, starting with butter, meat, sugar and tea.

Most food was in short supply and many people took to keeping their own chickens and rabbits.

People would work long hours, as well as volunteering to work at night as a fire watcher or an ARP warden.

However, it was not all doom and gloom.

Cinemas, dances and radio programmes kept up morale, but it should never be forgotten that 300 Epsom residents died in World War Two.

Their heroism and the stoicism of those at home serve as an example to all of us today.

The war generation were a tough breed – as you could find out by talking to anyone 70 and over today.

Bourne Hall Museum is still trying to add to its collection of photographs from those times.

Few were taken because of the shortage of film and many have been destroyed.

If you have any photographs dating from the period contact the museum on 020 8394 1734.

Tell us your memories of the war at epsomguardian.co.uk