Waifs of War
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Billy Backhouse was twelve, long and lean, with a mop of fair hair and a spotty face, likeable enough I suppose, but very touchy.They reckoned his mam was `on the game,' which was something I didn't understand really, not knowing the meaning of the phrase, but I was aware she was often in the company of American soldiers,(she wasn't the only one) and I had seen her many a time taking them into her house, just down the street from ours. Usually she was as high as a kite and dressed to the nines. You would never dream that Billy was her son, because he looked like a refugee from Oliver Twist, wearing the same clothes for school, for weeks on end,the knee length trousers and short socks giving way to black hob nailed boots which were at least two sizes too big for him, and the short sleeved shirt, topped by a fair isle `v' necked pullover showed his long skinny arms which hung way down past his knees. There was always an odour of smelly feet when Billy was around I remember Ronnie once saying, “Backhouse looks like tripe and smells like a ferret!” On a really cold or rainy day he would come to school in an old mackintosh which everyone knew was a girls, but nobody ever said anything for fear of feeling the back of Billy's hand.
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About the Book
Waifs of War is the second book written by Chris Mc Kinney, and is a follow on to her very successful,'Sweet Violets,'describing the events and happenings on the children's arrival home from Gainsborough,after living two years of torture and horrendous beatings at the hands of their billeter. Once again Chrissie and her brother find they are not welcome even in their own home by their mother this time, who after having another child, said she could not cope with three children and a war, and suggested after a short break at home they must return to their billet, choosing to dismiss the children's pleas.Their father,who is in the army then steps in and demands that his children stay at home where they belong, and when he goes back off leave , the true picture and reasons for their mother not wanting them at home emerges,and involves her times spent with American servicemen and British forces as everyone was hell bent on having a good time because of the war.The children were left to their own devices once more, living through bombings and raids,seeing their friends killed and injured while their parents were 'otherwise engaged.' Their is laughter in abundance as well as sadness in this story,and Chris McKinney tells it well, providing us with a great reminder of music and songs relevant to the era of the last war.Another compelling true tale from this excellent author.
About the Author
Chris McKinney,has produced only two books to date,and both from the heart, each being written in truth. This brilliant author tells it exactly as it is (or was),and reliving her past,she explains her unfortunate experiences through her sad existence from six years old.Chris is now retired and at last can find time to share her true stories with all, and especially with people who lived at the time of the last war and suffered the horrors of bombings and death. She married and divorced and had one son who died in his thirties, leaving her no grandchildren,so she devotes more of her time to writing now,enjoying every minute as she trusts you will reading her books.