- Contributed by听
- joseph tapner
- People in story:听
- Susannah Tapner, Joseph Thomas Tapner, Reginald James Tapner, Joan Tapner, Mr Cecil Balcomb, Mrs Elizabeth Balcomb, Mr William Henry Packer, Rev. W.D.Oddie
- Location of story:听
- London and Pulham, Dorsetshire, Petworth Sussex
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A7171003
- Contributed on:听
- 21 November 2005
Shortly after war was declared on Germany in 1939 my mother, myself, my brother Reginald and my sister (a babe in arms) were evacuated from Camberwell in London to Petworth in Sussex to avoid the anticipted air raids on London which were thought to be imminent. After a short period in Sussex during which time the air raids did not materialise we returned to London. After a short time the air raids began with a vengeance and despite a near miss we survived and in 1941 my parents decided that my younger brother Reg and I should be evacuated.
It was a tearful farewell, especially for my mother, and we arrived at the station with our gas masks round our necks an identification label tied to our coat buttonholes and what clothes we had in a suitcase. I was 9 and my brother just 5 and I was told to look after him and keep with him at all times. I don't remember much of the train journey as I just sat quietly very upset at leaving my parents going into the unknown with my little brother.
We reached our destination and were assembled in what I took to be a village hall. After some time people started to arrive and choose which children they wanted to take with them. I was sitting quietly watching my brother play with some new found friends when a lady asked me to go with her. I said that I couldn't go without my little brother and to my relief she agreed to take us both. We were taken to a very large house which turned out to be the Old Rectory in the village of Pulham, Dorset. To cut a long story short we stayed there with Mr and Mrs Balcomb and several other evacuees and were well looked after until VE Day in May 1945. After the initial shock I soon adapted to the country way of life and enjoyed farm work. My school headmaster, Mr William Henry Packer, is one of my all time hero's and the local vicar Mr Oddie who lived with us at the rectory was a joy. In short I had very mixed feelings when I returned to London and although I was very glad to see my parents again my heart was in Dorset. Even today I frequently return. I've even found one of my old school friends I sat next to in class.
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