大象传媒

It was in August 1939, that I went to visit my Dad's elder sister in Haywards Heath. Aunt Lizzie had been a headmistress and she now lived in Holly Cottage, next door to a public house. There was a large garden with an orchard, where there were hens, chickens and a rather large cockerill, he used to chase me when I fed the hens. I remember I had a lovely pink taffeta dress and always had a bow in my hair. My Aunt Lizzie could never tie it like my Mom though! War broke out a few days after and I was given an identification number. Soon, many coaches arrived on the car park next door depositing a few adults and mainly children. I learnt that those with dark hair were refugees and the faired haired were evacuees. I could not understand the difference! I was there for about 6 weeks, but I wanted to go home to Walsall in the Midlands, to my Mom, Dad and sister. I remember queuing for my gas mask in the yard of Bird's Brewery, then went back to school and found that the playground had been dug up for underground shelters! I don't think there were many air raid warnings during school, but we ran straight home if there were!

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