大象传媒

I was 12 years old and on the beach at Bognor Regis when everyone shouted "It's war!" Several London boroughs had arranged for children to be moved immediately from the city and saw a long line youngsters walking along the prom. They had not seen the sea before and they all ran into the water, gas masks and all.

I went home with my parents to Purley in Surrey. Our home was situated between two aerodromes, Biggin Hill and Kenley. Before we even got through our front door the first siren went off.

I was evacuated very briefly and then returned as nothing had happened. This was the "phony war". Then I was evacuated again to friends in Cornwall during the period when flying bombs were around.

Later I got evacuated to the area around Manchester. My parents thought it was a good idea for me to be evacuated. It was a different world with villagers cleaning their doorsteps wearing clogs. I thought I was a good bridge player so taught the local children how to play. Some didn't approve of cards though.

There was a big difference between North and South. London was very strict on rationing but in the north the people were very good hearted. They did not have much but they shared everything. If I hadn't been evacuated I would never have gone down a coal mine or watched corduroy being made in a cotton mill.

(PK)

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