大象传媒

told about Joan Ahern nee Benson
put into verse by Janet Davies

I was evacuated to Blackpool
It was September 1939,
As I waved goodbye to my Grandad
It seemed a very exciting time.

We set off on a Claribell charabanc
With gas masks in our hand,
Food parcels for our new homes
With corned beef we felt quite grand.

When we arrived in Blackpool
We patiently stood in line,
I waited to be chosen
Along with three pals of mine.

Mr and Mrs Whitehouse
Lived on the North Shore,
They were good, kind loving people
We couldn't have asked for more.

Their son was away in the forces
We four slept in his room,
Mrs Whitehouse took us on the prom
On the piano, Mr Whitehouse played tunes.

The blitz then came to Manchester
I was quickly returned back home,
"The family are not to be separated"
"If we're dying, we're not leaving her alone"
I was living in Openshaw
When the Jerries bombed Ashton Old Road,
"Go on off back home you nosey kids"
"It's really dangerous here" we were told.

I remember the roof with a bomb sticking out
It looked like a cartoon, it was funny.
School was only for two half days a week
Things were rationed and we had no money.

I was sent back to Blackpool,I didn't know why
Belmont Road was a very nice house,
I was very unhappy but tried not to cry.
The old man there was a miserable louse!

My Granddad was said to be poorly
I was glad to be going back home
Consumption was what they called it
When he passed away I felt very alone.

Me and my Mum moved in with Aunt Kate,
In the street we all played harmless games
Like skipping and hop flag, and spinning the top
Using shoe polish tins, and brush stales.

All our teachers had gone off to war now
So how to knit was our main education,
Gloves, socks, balaclavas and jumpers,
We were "doing our bit for the Nation"

I was quite good, and I could "do rib"
Knit one purl one, then do it again
I got lots of practice, we had to knit quick
Cos our soldiers were waiting for them

Then I started working, making raincoats
Sewing demob suits for our women and men
The war, "it is over", the big wigs announced
It was partying everywhere then.

As I look back now on those difficult days
My memory's as clear as a bell,
I remember the seaside, the soldiers, the bombs
But I remember the good times as well.

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