大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by a volunteer from 大象传媒 Radio Berkshire on behalf of Bernard De La Mothe and has been added to the site with his permission. Bernard De La Mothe fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

With the Threat of Jersey in the Channel Islands being invaded by the Germans my parents decided to evacuate to England. My immediate family plus my Aunt and Grandfather met at the dockside in St Helier with one suitcase each apart from my Father who was going to return home to arrange for a friend to take care of our house, etc. and join a later ship. However, he was told that this was the last ship to leave the island so he had to come aboard with only the clothes he was wearing.

We sailed to Weymouth on a small coastal steamer, the SS Stainburn. After landing we were given a brief medical, wash, sandwiches and a cup of tea though in what order I cant remember. Hearing that Bristol was a good area for work, my father got us on the first train that was going there. The Terminus Hotel, close to Templemead station, was chosen as our base and we proceeded to explore Bristol on foot. We visited the zoo and a dairy, where the lady on hearing of our journeys gave us all a free glass of milk. The evening saw us all up in the Gods of Bristol Empire. By then I had clocked up a trip on a steamer, a ride on a big train, a night in a hotel, a visit to the Zoo and the Music Hall, These were all for the first time.

The night of June 24th gave me another first, Bristol had an air raid and we were woken up in the early hours to evacuate the Hotel. An unexploded bomb had landed in the pavement outside! We were moved to rooms where there were mattresses on the floor, unfortunately they were already occupied by 鈥渇leas鈥� 鈥� so not a lot of sleep that night!

Our next move was to Kent where a family friend lived whom my father had met in the First World War. Hearing of our misfortune he kindly offered us shelter. Later we moved to our own accommodation. During this time I attended the local school in Orpington and joined the Boy Scouts, occupying myself helping to erect indoor and outdoor raid shelters. When I was old enough I volunteered to join the Royal Navy. I served for three years in land bases, various naval ships, and on to the Far East. Through a casual acquaintance I ended up in Newbury after my Demobilisation, and I lived in the area since 1948.

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