大象传媒

I lived in a flat with my Mother at the top of a crumbling Victorian house in S.W. London in 1941. It was not a good place to be and following a direct hit on a row of houses opposite ours, causing all the windows in the front of our house to implode, it was decided that I should be sent "somewhere". My Mother was a single parent, going through a divorce that took seven years in those days, so it was decided that my Grandfather should take me to Paddington Station to see if it were possible to get me on a train en route to the country.

As I was only four years old at the time, I was unable to join a Church group or a school party. I waited, sat on my small cardboard case, whilst Granfather persuaded a Guard to keep a watchful eye on me in the guardsvan.

After a long frightening journey, surrounded by strangers, we arrived at Pontyclun station and were given hot drinks and a bun by kindly WVS ladies. As I was so young, a Billeting officer decided to take me to his home at the end of his "deliveries", but by the time we arrived, his wife had taken two boys. The neighbours came to the rescue and thus began a wonderful four years with the dear family in Talbot Green. They had a fourteen year old daughter of their own who seemed completly happy to share her home and parents with a small demanding child. I wasn't to see my Mother for the next four years and as a consequence of this, we became quite unable to relate to each other.

My family in Wales had wanted to adopt me and they were everything one could hope for in such a situation. My Uncle was a Carpenter in a Pit and made wooden toys for me with the left-over bits of wood and Auntie would use her clothing coupons to buy material, when it was available, to make little skirts and nighties. They had such an impact on my formative years and introduced me to music, poetry and an abiding interest in flora and fauna. From tales I have heard of other evacuated children, I was indeed fortunate and they will be in my heart always.

I wrote a poem to express the feelings of the time:

My Mother
Small comfort now remembering
Such bitter sweet, small offerings.
The wistful, winsome smiles you gave
Were hooks and bands to bind your slave.
Recalling your wild chestnut hair
Brings pain that I can hardly bear.
Behind you, on your bike I'd press
Close to my face, your poppy dress
As it engulfed me like large wings
Flying us both to happier things.
Into our gasmask box we'd cram
A sandwich, scraped with marg or jam
The singing wheels went on and on
This was "our" last time, just ours alone.

Then in Glamorgan, aged Four

Childhood had changed 'tho just begun
Labels attached when we left home
To find refuge in pastures new
And family hosts to see us through.
So much was learned, so much undone
Friends too were lost, but many won
A better life it was for some
Who found new wonders to pursue
Childhood had changed.

The fog and chimneys all had gone
Replaced by trees and flowers and sun
My new roots firm, secure I grew
This family's love was constant too
Upon a thread of silk I swung!
Childhood HAD changed.....

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.