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My name was Rose Strain and I went to school at St. Patrick’s RC School, Cornwall Road, Waterloo.

It was 1939 when we were told we were going with our teachers on a train to stay in the country, just for a holiday, my Mum said. I was so excited, I was 7 years old and I was with my four brothers. Some of the Mums were crying. I just thought it was because they couldn’t come too.

It was a long journey and excitement began to fade, when will we get there!

We at last arrived in a place called Broadembury, a village in Devon. We were all lined up in the Village hall, our gas masks in a box on our shoulders. Ladies came and took children away to stay with them. Then a lady came and said she just wanted boys. To my horror she walked away with my brothers. I was uncontrollable. I was still upset when a lady asked me to go with her. She said she lived on a farm with lots of animals. Well, I’d never seen anything bigger than a dog before, so when she started milking a cow, I was sent packing, still crying for my brothers who, it seemed, were enjoying themselves in this mansion called Broadembury House. It was owned by an MP called Mr. Drew. It had many rooms, so they took pity on me and let me stay, but it was only for a couple of months, the village couldn’t take the strain!.

Next we were bundled off to Ashburton. Places were found there for 3 of my brothers, while my younger brother, Jim and I were taken to Buckfastleigh. We settled down in separate homes, my brother to Mr. Jack Smith, who is still alive today. He is 98 and we are still in touch with him. I went to Mr. & Mrs. Goldsworthy who spoilt me as if I were their own. We walked 3 miles each day to a Convent School in Buckfast. In fact it was in Buckfast Abbey that I was confirmed.

After 3 years my mother, who had left London because of the Doodlebugs, wanted us back with her, so we then made a home in Tamworth near Birmingham

I really don’t know how my Mum managed with Dad in the Army. She managed us all.

Eventually, after celebrating VE Day, we returned to London, first to a makeshift home in a school until our house was made habitable, then back to Waterloo where I finished my schooling, where I started, at St. Patrick’s School a long time ago, but now with a long tale to tell.

This story was added to the People's War website by CSV Volunteer Pat Latham on behalf of Rose Hall. Rose fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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