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Edited by Amy Carss and Claire Scott
Person in Story: Wishes to remain anonymous.
Location: Killingworth, Newcastle
Background: Evacuee in WW2

I was living in Newcastle when the war began. I had just turned thirteen when I was evacuated to Milum, Cumberland. At the time the battle at Dunkirk was happening. I was away for about a year, and was made welcome by the friendly people I stayed with. When war was declared, I felt slightly scared but you had to accept it because it was Britain’s decision. Although I bear no grudges towards the Germans now, at the time, it was accepted that you hated them.

One thing that I will always remember is the ration food. Many complain about it now but like I said, you just accepted it. I remember the powdered egg. We ate this a lot so I got used to it. We baked our own bread and had no sweets or treats. Also, we had broth which was made in a big pan which lasted most of the week.

My temporary parents were fishermen and I enjoyed helping them bring the fish in from the sea. I had two sisters and a brother who were taken in by other families. It wasn’t all bad as we were in the same village and I saw them at my new school everyday. I made lots of new friends which made war time a happier affair. My school was strict so I got the cane more times than I can count. While I lived with my new family I rarely thought about my old city life as I had a new life in the country.

I got back to the city in 1941 and most places had changed. My home had been bombed while I was away. Everywhere I went I carried my gas mask for safety. It was slightly uncomfortable and a bit smelly. I remember the air raids and shelters. In our back garden we had a brick shelter, an outside toilet (which was freezing) and a coalhouse.
I was not scared to go to the shelter though the atmosphere was tense and the longest 15 minutes of my life.

I was 21 when I joined the Army. My father had been in the Army during the war and my older brother was called up to be part of the Navy at 21. My happiest memory of being in the forces was seeing my brother in a Navy hospital in Singapore. Before that I travelled to Calcutta, India. We stayed in a camp. The uniform we wore changed from light brown to a light green colour. At 120ْْ F it was stiflingly hot. I felt safer when I was given an Identity Card. I looked after British and Japanese soldiers, and showed no favouritism to the British — if a person was sick I helped them. I received a Queens Medal Of Honour for my efforts — everyone in the forces did. I feel I achieved a lot.

I served 40 years in the service of caring for the sick and frail. I then worked for the Newcastle Social Services looking after vagrants, alcoholics and the aggressive. I married in 1950 and had a boy and a girl. My daughter is a school teacher and my son is in charge of a residential home. There was definitely more community spirit then than there is now — you didn’t need to lock your doors. The best time was the earlier years.

By Claire Scott and Amy Carss, George Stephenson High School
Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne.

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