大象传媒

Memoirs of Ms Josephine Burke

When War was declared, we were living in Broadstairs. My Father panicked a bit I think, because within the week our furniture was store, most of our toys including my precious dolls house was given to our next door neigbour and we were off to North Devon.

There we stayed for a few days in a farmhouse, near the small village of Molland. My father working for the National Farmers Union had contacts in most areas.

After that we rented the farmers cottage overlooking fields with not another house in sight.

Us kids myself my brother & sister loved the country. Though we did didn鈥檛 like the long tramp to school every day.

The cottage had no electricity or plumbing and the loo was next door in a barn.

At night we heard strange muttering noises in the rafters maybe birds or rats!

Springtime was lovely with daffodils growing wild in the hedges we picked lots and took the back to Mum.

One day one of the young boys who lived on the farm came to our door and asked if Jose (that was I) would like to go rabbitting? So off we went across the fields he had a ferret in his pocket and he let me stroke it. I had never seen a ferret before! But when I realised that he was going to flush out rabbits with his ferret and shoot them when they came out of there hole I just left him and went home.

Another time when the weather was hot & sticky, We discovered a large pond under some shady trees, So we stripped off and waded in. Someone saw us and reported back to mum that was not pleased.

We hardly knew rationing existed because living on a farm we had plenty of eggs & milk, and occasional rabbit shot by the farmers son I expect!

The only time war was mentioned was the news on the radio but as children we were not interested.

One more memory was being unwell from ringworm which I had contracted from a cow I was learning to milk.

These are just a few memories that have stayed with me over the years.

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