大象传媒

I was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1929. My family of 2 boys and 2 girls were all evacuated from 1939 -1942.
I was sad to leave my parents, but it was necessary for our safety. We went by bus to the Central Station, by train to Carlisle, then train to Whitehaven.
On the way by the coastal route the train stopped at Branstley where there were 2 buses waiting. I went on the second bus to Corkicle. There were about 50 children. We were taken to our destination which was a large convent.
The Mother Superior welcomed us and introduced us to our new families.
I went with Mrs Caulfield to Scotch street in Whitehaven. She was a very smart,upright, strict but courteous lady.Her husband, Steven was a bus conducter, they had 3 children - Joseph
a fireman, Frances an infant school teacher, and Steven who was training to be a Priest. I attended his ordination some years after.
I was homesick for about 2 weeks but the family made me very welcome and treated me like one of their own. The house had a front and back sitting room,a kitchen, 3 bedrooms and backyard with outside toilet. I slept in the smallest room and every morning Mrs Caulfield brought a large jug of cold water for me to wash before breakfast.
There were ration books and I got my fair share of sweets!
Mrs Caulfield was in St. Bergh's church choir, and also played the piano and mouthorgan. We had musical evenings at home and I picked up the art of the mouthorgan. I still play the harmonica occasionally at a local club.
I attended St Bergh's school on Coach rd
where the children were very friendly and helpful. We went to the boys club on King st after school and played in the park. Mrs Caulfield took us to the pictures in Workington and sometimes I went with friends too. We also played Monopoly, cards and dominoes at home
My Mum visited only occasionally, but wrote regular letters to us.
When the time to return back to Newcastle came it was a wrench to leave my foster family. About 15 yrs ago I retraced my steps to Whitehaven. The shop next door to the house was still there, but no familiar faces left.I enquired about bed and breakfast and was directed to Corkicle ! I found Mrs Caulfield eventually,-she was in her 90's, in poor health, but when daughter Frances mentioned me playing the hamonica she recognised me and opened her arms to me. Frances passed on about 4 weeks after that. Father Steven had become a missionary years before, but returned to the UK in ill health.

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