- Contributed by听
- Civic Centre, Bedford
- People in story:听
- Michael Cole
- Location of story:听
- Upper Caldicote, Bedford
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A2729937
- Contributed on:听
- 10 June 2004
The firm bond that began during the war has continued through the years. Here, in 1950 Patricia returns to visit, for the christening of Pamela Cole, Micheal's baby sister. Michael pictured age 7
In September 1940 the bus arrived in our village of Upper Caldicote in Bedfordshire with evactuees from the East End of London. My mother was reluctant to take anyone in at the time because she had recently had a still born child, although she was asked to take in a child.
Some weeks later, the co-ordinator came back to my mother and almost begged her to take in Patricia, because the family she had been placed with were using her almost as a slave, and she was finding it hard to settle. My mother agreed, and took her in. During the next two years, before I was born, Patricia's mother would come down and seek a few nights respite from the bombing in London.
This formed a bond with the family, which continued to strengthen until the 10th May 1945 when Pat went back to London.
After the war I visited London to see Pat, and remember the scenes of devastation and bomb damage. From memory, these were still around some ten years after the war.
Since this time the families have remained close, and have become almost as one family; sharing weddings and family events. I am even a godparent to one of Pat's children.
If it hadn't been for the war, these friendships wouldn't have had the chance to be formed.
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