大象传媒

This story was writen onto the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Storygatherer Jane Chanter on behalf of Mrs Bobbe Newman. The story has been added to the site with her permission and Mrs B Newman fully understands the terms and conditions of the site.
May 10th 1940 is a date forever imprinted on my mind. The day my sister Marlene and I were transported by bus from Victoria Road School to North Road Station with many other children from the St Budeuaux area at the start of our great adventure. I was ten and Marlene was seven. We left behind our mother holding our nineteen month old brother. Our father was 'away' in the Royal Navy. We were carrying small suitcases containing essential clothing and Marlene was clutching her doll. Cardboard tags were attached to our coats and gas masks were slung over our shoulders.
Bude was our destination, but on arrival a few of us were taken to Marhamchurch, a village two miles away. Bewildered and tired we stood in the village hall whilst we were selected by host families. Fortunately Marlene and I were billeted together in the local Rectory. A huge house with only oil lamps for lighting, - we were convinced the house was haunted ! Our first meal was in the enormousflagstone kitchen with 'auntie and uncle', the housekeeper and her husband who were to have total care of us, and the schoolteacher who had accompanied the evacuees from London and her mother and sister. The Rector dined in his study. Marlene and I were not offered sugar in our tea and we were too afraid to ask for any ! We could not believe our eyes when given eggs as we had been used to our ration of one per week.
The local children used the small primary/junior school and the evacuees were taught at the village hall - two classes, 5-8 years and 9-11 years, with a curtain divider. Imagine the noise and distraction ! Our playground was the village square, no fear of traffic at that time. The mid morning milk was brought by a local farmer in a churn and was measured into cups. On school walks along the disused canal tow-path we collected hips and haws for the manufacture of rosehip syrup. When Marlene and I first walked up to the village for school we were confronted by a herd of cows coming in the opposite direction, I think we would have put an Olympic high-jumper to shame the way we reached the top of the hedge. We were not as bad as the children from London who thought chickens had four legs ! The sound of an isolated plane sent us scurrying for shelter.
We went to church every Sunday morning and again in the afternoon to Sunday School. We also joined the Girls Frindly Society and knitted scarves and socks for servicemen whilst listening to The Pilgrim's Progress. A letter was written home every week and we waited in anticipation for the reply.
Yes, we were extremely lucky in our placement but that did not prevent us from feelnig homesick at times. Who can replace a mother when a child is not well and needs comforting.

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