大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Ida Dean (nee Buxton) on behalf of her sister, Dorothea Keeling. It was typed up by Louise Angell of the CSV Action desk. The contributor filly understands the sites terms and conditions.

When war broke out 7 of my family, 4 boys and 3 girls, were evacuated to Stanley Common. I went to Smally Common school and was later transferred to West Hallam. I can remember quite a few of the girls there, especially Kath Malpass and Sybil Hort, with whom I walked to school. The winter of 1939-40 was one of the worst we'd had for years, but it meant that we could take a short cut across some farmers fieldbecause the deep brook which ran across it was frozen solid. This saved us quite a lot of walking to get to school. I only spent about a year at the school but I really enjoyed it there, everyone was helpful and friendly.

The Christmas of 1939-40 which we spent as evacuees was so different from the pre-war ones we spent at home: none of the fantastic hustle and bustle of excited kids - the washing, the cooking and cleaning, on top of all this each year a new baby to look after. But my mum would take all this in her stride, nothing seemed to ruffle her. She would scrimp all year and save the Co-op Divi to make Christmas wonderful for us.

In 1939 Christmas morning came very quietly for we three girls - no shrieking or shouting, our presents were left to be opened until after breakfast. Scarves and gloves, we each had a hand painted cup and saucer filled with chocolates. We had plenty of festive food as the war, still in it's infancy, had not yet seemed to affect the economy - but we were homesick.

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