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James Askins was 5 years old when war was declared, he remembered people running round and shouting WAR!
He lived in brambles farm Middlesbrough with his mum dad 4 brothers and 1 sister. When the house was bombed they moved back to Albert street in the old part of Middlesbrough. His house was destroyed when the railway station was bombed the front of his house caved in.
In early 1940’s he was evacuated to Newton-on-ouse his brothers were evacuated a few miles away from him. They were taken to a church hall and couples came in and picked the children that they wanted to care for. James and another boy were the last ones to be chosen. They were then taken in by a couple and taken to their cottage. James hated the place. They were there for 6-7weeks, And then he was taken to be with his brothers and Mrs Caroline who lived at 49 Sea View with 10 evacuees. James was much happier. His mum and dad visited James and his brothers once.
His teacher took him to mass every Sunday, he then made his Holy Communion in York. In summer 1941 John (James’ brother) who was 13 ran off back to Middlesbrough with the girl of the house Pat Carol. She then came back but John stayed at home. Then at Christmas we went back to Middlesbrough for a weeks holiday but then decided to stay at home. What was really strange is that when we arrived back home we couldn’t call our parents Mum and Dad. We also had a new edition to the family I had a baby sister who was born in 1940. John didn’t keep in touch with Mrs Caroline although when he was 16 he went to visit her.

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