大象传媒

Message 1 - Portobello in War Time

Posted on: 20 November 2005 by greenhill2

My husband has just told me about your article on the internet. I was 5 years old (Violet Ferguson)when I was evacuated from Portobello Towerbank School, along with my sister (Margaret Ferguson) who in those days went to Portobello High School (Primary) - even then I was not allowed to go to the High School because the Council decided to split the High Street and b3cause we resided in Regent Street, I was unable to go to the High School However, what I do remember is arriving in Garvald in East Lothian with my gasmask case and a carrier bag. My mother came with us, along with my sister's friend, Jean Martin of Marlborough Street - (in those days Wellington Street). However like you we only stayed about three months as the first German bomber came down on the hill where we were staying and my father thought we might be safer staying at home in Regent Street!

An other thing I remember is visiting my Grandfather - William Ferguson who stayed at Duddingston Mill - on a Sunday night. We had to go to the shelter for safety as the German planes were overhead. However my father and grandfather thought they would stand and watch the planes as they, I believe, carried on to Glasgow to bomb Clydebank.

My memories of my evacuation are very happy - although I believe I was the cause of an epidemic of Measles in the village school!

Regards
Violet Thomson

Message 1 - Portobello in War Time

Posted on: 20 November 2005 by greenhill2

Further to my previous contribution, I would just like to add that the house referred to in your letter was the Demarco's house looking over the promenade. I remember having classes in the big large lounge with bay windows. As a matter of fact the house belonged to the Demarco's well known ice cream makers in Portobello. Their son Richard is the well known Art entrepeneur to the Edinburgh Festival and other Art Festivals.

Violet Thomson