大象传媒

I was born Jean Smith in 1938 in Bristol. On 16th March 1941 we were bombed at 88 Twinnell Rd, Easton, Bristol.

My mother, father and 11 year old brother were killed. I think it was a shop at this address (I would dearly like to know for sure). I do not know which hospital I was taken to. I was very badly injured and apparently no-one knew who I belonged to at that time.

My very earliest recollection is of being in an orphanage in Burnham-on-Sea where we were regularly taken out for treats and bought toys by the american soldiers - on going back to the orphanage the toys were taken away and put in a big pile as, of course, we did not own anything - not even our clothes!

I remember one day laying down resting on my little wooden bed and watching another child trying on my "special yellow dress" and being heartbroken - but, of course, it did not fit me anymore!

My legs were always very heavily bandaged and I had to be very careful not to hurt them.

After a couple of years I was taken away from the orphanage and put with two wonderful ladies who had dedicated themselves to helping evacuees and orphans - and I was so happy for the first time in my life. BUT governments being what they are I was soon taken from them as there was no father in the household (different rules in those days!) I was then taken to a family in Devon who immediately told me that I was now called Mary (I remember thinking 'but all I have is my name') I had a really miserable time right up to when I left at 19 years old. I had to wait until I had stopped growing before I had the final operations on my legs - and they have done me well. I am now a 66 year old grandmother and could not be happier - my past experiences have certainly shown me what is important in life!

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