大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Dianne Burtrand of Chelmsford Library on behalf of Violet Howitt and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

Violet aged 12 and her brother John aged 10 were evacuated from Dagenham, Essex just after the start of war in November 1939. Her father, who worked for London County Council, was advised by the council to have any children evacuated. He later wished he hadn鈥檛 arranged this because of the trauma of the separation. Violet and John were evacuated to Heythrop. They went by train, with a gas mask and sandwiches, waved off by their mother. They were taken in by families living next door to each other and attended the village school which had only two classes. Violet came top of the class, but instead of receiving the Bible given by the local Squire, she got a box of chocolates and the Bible went to the second, local child. Violet was confirmed. This was organised by the local church and her mother sent a white dress. Violet was quite happy for eighteen months until John went home after gaining a scholarship and then she wanted to go home.

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