大象传媒

This story was submitted on behalf of David Tigwell by a CSV vol at 大象传媒 Radio Bristol

I was evacuated from London when I was seven years old, and lived with my parents at 6 Samons Road, Lower Edmonton, London. I can still remember going to the railway station with all my school friends, my short trousers and carrying my gas mask around my neck. We were put onto a train and were told that we were going on holiday. It seemed a very long time on the train and not knowing where we were being taken.
When we arrived at Penzance in Cornwall, I thought how nice it was to be beside the seaside, some evacuees were billeted at Penzance, to my surprise, I was with about forty other evacuees. We were then put on to a bus; I didn't know where we were being taken to.

When the bus arrived at its destination - St Just near Lands End - we were all very tired and taken into the town hall and told to lay down onto the floor in rows of two abreast. Then suddenly the doors opened and lots of ladies and gentlemen came into the hall, they were allowed to choose evacuees according to how many children they had and how many bedrooms they had.
We must have all been very tired by then, when a lady and gentleman picked me and another evacuee out to go and stay with them. We were taken to their home and were put straight to bed.

In the morning to my amazement, I was looking out of the window onto a wonderful farm. Later on in the morning I was told the name of the couple who were going to look after us; they were called Mr and Mrs Waters of 21 Fore Street St Just. They had one son called Headley. The other evacuee was called Kenny Pilson. I stayed with May and Raymond for just over 2 years.

I was taken into hospital at Penzance because I had to have an operation on my ear for a mastoid. My mother was sent for and came down to Penzance to see me in hospital. She liked it so much and thought it was better than living in London that she decided to stay in Penzance. Later on my father also moved from London, when I was much better after my operation.

I went to the Roman Catholic School of St Mary's. I kept in touch with Mr and Mrs waters until they both died. I am still in contact with their son Headley and try to arrange to see him when I visit Penzance each year.

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