大象传媒

At the age of almost five years, Istarted school on the Monday, 28th August, 1939 and was evacuated to a small village in Leicestershire on Friday, lst September. War was declared on the Sunday. Quite a week for a little girl.

I am theyoungest child of my parents who ran a 'corner shop' surrounded by the Hope Street infant, junior and senior complex in inner Birmingham. I am a true Brummie, being born within the sound of St. Marin's in the Bullring's bells.

My big brother whent to Wales, but my Mother accompanied myszelf and my next brother as we went with the Hope Street kids to Leicestershire. Mom was determioned that my brother and I should not be parted and this made it difficult but in the end we were accepted together.

I had a couple of moves and ended up with the Burdett family in Groby. Unfortunately I was a frail and sickly child and came home to my parents after a couple of months. Mum later told me that I was ue to have my tonsils removed but was not strong enough to withstand the surgery. Doctors also told my mother that the only hope for my survival was to get me out of Birmingham into some clean air.

So back I went to Groby to another branch of the Burdett family, Mark and Sarah 9both pensioners), their daughter Amy and son-in-law, Ernest Sedgley. They became very der to me and I stayed with them until the remaining few evacuees were rounded up and returned home in 1944.

Grandad and Grandma Burdett died a good numbr of years ago and Uncle Ern in 1980, but my beloved Aunty Amy lived until 2002. Ov er the years we had a very loving relationship.

While the evacuation set in motion with the best of intentions in 1939 seemed to have been disastrous for many people, for me it was a lifesaver - literally.

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