大象传媒

As a 10 year old pupil at East Ward Secondary Modern School , Colchester I recall that during late August 1940 the school assembled in the main hall and was informed that pupils of certain ages were to be evacuated.
A few days later parents were informed that their child/children were to be evacuated -with instructions to pack a bag or suitcase of clothes and shoes and report 48 hours later during the afternoon at the school with gas masks and suitcase.
My 12 year old sister and self reported to school and were given labels printed with our names and address. We were then bused to Colchester North Station for the start of the rail journey. Several teachers and mothers accompanied the group to the destination. The intention of the mothers was to remain with their children. My mother stayed behind to care for my father and brother who were engaged in essential war work at Paxmans.
I cannot recall much about the rail journey other than it took many hours which must have been a route across country. At around 05.00hrs the following day we arrived at a tabernacle situated in Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire. Shortly after arrival several of us stepped out onto the pavement to get a glimpse of our surroundings. I recall whilst standing on the pavement seeing several men approach us wearing tin hats with almost blackened faces and large boots. These were miners going home from a nearby coalmine. They were interested in reading our labels and asked questions about Colchester and our stay in Hanley.
At approx 09.00hours we were divided into small groups . The group that my sister Iris and self were placed in was in the charge of a man whose official title was "Billeting Officer". We were taken to a street named Jervis Street. At the beginning of the street the billeting officer commenced knocking on each door asking the occupants if they could accomodate any evacuee(s). For reasons unknown to me requests were declined - some would only accept male or female. The Billeting Officer decided that my sister and I should remain together but this was proving to be difficult. At no. 29 a lady in her early sixties answered the door and after some discussion stated that she could only take the boy (myself). Fortunately a lady opposite cleaning her windows could see what was happening and came over to enquire of the situation. She agreed to accomodate my sister. Knowing that we would be quite close together the Billeting Officer approved.
The kind folks that I stayed with were:
Mr John and Mrs Ada Shaw
29 Jervis Street
Hanley

Jervis Street consisted of terraced houses along the entire length, with a back alley serving also the houses in the next street. I recall at the end of the street was a pottery kiln. Bath nights was by the use of a long tin bath. Every night for six months we slept in the garden air raid shelter and could hear the bombs passing over en route to Manchester or Liverpool.
Northwood School closeby was where I received my education. The teaching staff looked upon us evacuees most favourably and I quickly made friends both at school and in the Jervis Street area. One school trip was to a nearby pottery factory, which in later years I found to be Joseph Weedgewood's. A visit to the nearby Roxy Cinema every Saturday morning was a treat ,to follow the episodes of Flash Gordon.

In 1942 with the threat of the German Invasion much receded , parents and children had the choice of returning home. During April my mother came and took us home. During my absence I noticed many changes had taken place. Many of the bigger boys had joined the services. My father had become a fireman in the works fire team and my brother a member of the Home Guard.

At the time I looked upon the evacuation as some holiday not realising the possibility of never seeing my parents and brother again. In retrospect due to the kindness of Mr and Mrs Shaw and friends my recollections of being an evacuee is a happy one.

After many years of keeping in touch in 1947 I visited the Shaws, looked up old friends and visited the old haunts.

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