Pensioners Recall Sweet Victory.

Claude and Joan, 71, of Cannock, revel in the phrase ‘Life is a box of chocolates’.

Married at 19, they met at their local scout group. Now retired with 3 grown children, the duo have surprisingly similar wartime memories.

Claude vividly recalled one day in 1944, when tanks drove past his home, the soldiers throwing spearmints to all the children. He said: “When you were six, this was very exciting because sweets were rationed!”

Claude became an engineer due to his early encounters with such staggering machines. Little did he know that what he thought was exciting was in fact an American taunt, sticking two metaphorical fingers up at the British rationing system.

Joan said: “We had all sorts of rations on sweets, clothes, anything really”. Her oldest memory was when sweets were taken off rations.

Joan received three pence pocket money per week –equal to one new penny- and sweets were rationed at 2oz a week. It was crucial to pick the lightest ones to ‘get the most for your money’.

Joan was ecstatic when she could pick what she really wanted. “Nobody had favourites because no one had sweets often enough,” She said. “You don’t get that now. You can buy… that Pick and Mix without any trouble at all”.

Joan also recalled her first taste of Banana which she thought ‘most strange’. She said: I wouldn’t put it in my mouth because it looked bizarre!” Luckily, she has grown to appreciate the taste.