Posted on by Jacquie Biggar

While The Bombs Fell by Robbie Cheadle & Elsie Hancy Eaton #Memoir #BookReview @bakeandwrite


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

Biography

Robbie, short for Roberta, is an author with six published children’s picture books in the Sir Chocolate books series for children aged 2 to 9 years old (co-authored with her son, Michael Cheadle), one published middle grade book in the Silly Willy series and one published preteen/young adult fictionalised biography about her mother’s life as a young girl growing up in an English town in Suffolk during World War II called While the Bombs Fell (co-authored with her mother, Elsie Hancy Eaton). All of Robbie’s children’s book are written under Robbie Cheadle and are published by TSL Publications. 

Robbie has recently branched into adult horror and supernatural writing and, in order to clearly differential her children’s books from her adult writing, these will be published under Roberta Eaton Cheadle. Robbie has two short stories in the horror/supernatural genre included in Dark Visions, a collection of 34 short stories by 27 different authors and edited by award winning author, Dan Alatorre. These short stories are published under Robbie Cheadle.

Robbie has also recently published a poetry collection, Open a new door, together with fellow South African poet, Kim Blades.

My Review

The story of life behind war zones.

Elsie is born in England during a tumultuous period in history- WWII. Her family must learn to live on rations, restricted power, blackout posters, and food stamps while still providing milk to the nearby village.

Elsie understands the threat of war. The fear of German bombers is a backdrop to an everyday life without extras, but the family still manages to enjoy simple pleasures such as summer swims, afternoon tea, and on special occasions small gifts and treats.

I found it fascinating to read the lives of those not directly involved in the war effort. The average citizens just trying to survive what must have been a frightening time. While Elsie is young, she still grasps the stress her parents are under to provide a safe, warm home for their family.

Standout lines:

Britain had been at war with Nazi Germany since 1 September 1939, and the little girl could not remember a time when the distribution of food, coal, and clothing had not been controlled. She listened for the sound of bomber planes and air raid sirens without even realising it and even possessed her own gas mask.

While the Bombs Fell- Robbie Cheadle & Elsie Hancy Eaton

The air raid shelter smelled damp and musty, and the dark felt as thick as velvet curtains before Father lit the paraffin lamp.

While the Bombs Fell- Robbie Cheadle & Elsie Hancy Eaton

This is an enlightening read about village life in wartorn times.

I give While the Bombs Fell 5 lovely Kisses!

92 Replies to “While The Bombs Fell by Robbie Cheadle & Elsie Hancy Eaton #Memoir #BookReview @bakeandwrite”

  1. I’ve read snippets of this book on Robbie’s blog. I think it’s awesome she worked with her mother for firsthand accounts of what it was like to live through such a terrifying times. Congratulations to Robbie for the excellent review!

    Liked by 4 people

  2. I understand your fascination Jacquie! I was able to visit a temporary exhibition at the War Museum in London some years ago centered around that theme. We got to see the daily rations, the propaganda urging parents to send their kids to the countryside. We got to read letters written by kids to their parents at that time. It was fascinating. And so real

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Very well done, Robbie! I’ve added my review to Goodreads (Amazon won’t let me post anymore) and tried on Bookbub but the book isn’t listed. Let me know when you get it up there and I’ll do the recommend thing 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Fantastic review, Jacquie! Congratulations to Robbie and her mom, Elsie Hancy Eaton! I loved the “stand out” lines too. Have a great weekend! 😀 xo

    Liked by 3 people

      1. It’s been storming all week, but that’s okay because I love to write while it’s raining. Today is a lovely sunny day though and I’ve already gone on a long walk with my dog, Scribbles. Thank you, my friend! 😀 xo

        Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s my pleasure, Robbie. That is a wonderful idea. I’ve come across amazing lines while reading and it had never occurred to me to highlight them. I wish I had thought of that. 😉

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Teagan. We’re governed by television and the movies to focus on the fighting during wars, but it affects everyone differently.
      Reading it from a child’s perspective was eye-opening.
      Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

      Liked by 3 people

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  20. Sounds like a poignant book. I’m sure it would hurt my heart to read some of it, but those are the stories that really leave their marks. I love that there are recipes included. What a great review.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. HI Jacquie, I responded to Staci before I read you comment and it really pleases me that you picked up on the acceptance of children portrayed in the book that I described in my comment. Have a lovely new week.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you for reading and commenting, Staci. It is told from a child’s perspective and, I always find it rather amazing, how adaptable and accepting children are. They accept what has always been as opposed to the adults who question and fight things.

      Liked by 2 people

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