World War II had a dramatic impact on Stoke Newington, Shoreditch and Hackney. This book marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the conflict by describing in words and photographs, how six years of war affected the daily lives of the people of the area. The author draws upon wartime newspaper reports, personal recollections and official records in order to recreate the atmosphere of the time and show how ordinary people reacted to the challenge represented by this extraordinary time.