大象传媒

At the start of WW2, the British Government knew cities would be bombed, so they sent all the children from the cities to the country.

About 3 million children left thier homes. Nowadays, it's hard for us to understand what this must have been like.

When children were first evacuated they had no idea how long the war would last or when they would see their families again.

Can you imagine not seeing your family for six years, not take your favourite toys, and staying with a strange family?

This is an interview with Shirley Hughes, 74, evacuated during the war and sent to Norfolk (at the age of 11) with her 8 month baby sister Pat.

"When we were evaucated, I was 11 years old. I had to be a mother to my sister as my mum was not around anymore. It was frightening and we didn't know what to expect. We were sent to Western Favell, Northamptonshire, where two doctors looked after us.

They had three girls and they were very unkind to us. They were jealous of us and particularly my sister who got a lot of attention as she was so young.

I was so happy to go home, but when we got back to London the war carried on. I remember we had to wash very quickly in a tin-tub in front of the fire.

When the air-raid warning went off it was like a nightmare running to the air raid shelter - absolutely terrifying.

The rationing of food meant we seemed to eat boiled potatoes all the time - and surprisingly I still like potatoes although nowadays I prefer them chipped or fried!

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