- Contributed byÌý
- West_End_at_War
- People in story:Ìý
- Betty Rumsey (nee Davis)
- Location of story:Ìý
- London, St Neots, Cambridgeshire and Blaina, South Wales.
- Background to story:Ìý
- Civilian
- Article ID:Ìý
- A2747153
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 15 June 2004
My father was in the Navy. He was on a mine sweeper, which swept the Channel, when we evacuated. My mother, two brothers and sister were living in North London at the time. I was 7 at the time, and I was evacuated with younger brother, Patrick, who was 3. My mother, Florence, and my sister Sonya, just a baby at 2 years old, were evacuated to Luton. My other brother, Sidney, who was around 5 at the time, was also evacuated, but was put on another bus. I and Patrick went into a hall, and were evacuated to St. Neots, Huntingdon, (now Cambridge) in 1939. I will never forget it!
They put us with a couple, their names Mr and Mrs. Foster. They didn’t want us, and made it clear about it! They themselves had no children, and they made our lives misery. They were a very religious couple, and they made us go to church 3 times on a Sunday — morning, afternoon and evening! We didn’t stay with them very long, maybe a few months. I remember Christmas 1939 with the Fosters, which was a good Christmas, but really all show! They passed us on to someone else after about 6 months. We then stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, who were much nicer than the Fosters. (I’ve been back to see Mr. Cooper, who unfortunately doesn’t remember me, as they had several other evacuees).
Luckily, after about another 3 months, in 1940, my mother came and rescued the family. My brother Sidney had spent about 6 or 7 months with a poorer family, but, he had a happier time than us with the Fosters. We all moved to Blaina, South Wales, and stayed with our Welsh Grandmother. It was one of the best times! There were 11 of us in 2 rooms, one up and one down! Somewhat primitive, toilet across the way, just a tap and no sink, but we together and we were safe.
School’s Out
When we were back in North London, we were there when the bombing was on. But, when the bombing started, we were sent home from school, and told not to come back until the bombing ended. As a result, we missed a lot of school. We didn’t mind being sent home, but it was dodging the shrapnel which was hard. We did used to pick up the small ones and save the shrapnel, and put them in an old tobacco tin.
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