大象传媒

This story was added to the People's War Site by a volunteer from Radio Newcastle on behalf of Vera Kulkarni. Vera Kulkarni is fully aware of the site's terms and conditions, and this story was added to the site with her permission.

Saturday:
Aa set off alone for the station,
Carried gas-mask, sandwiches
And a twill pillowcase,
Packed with aall me clothes.

Me two little sisters, Beth
And Polly stayed home. Measles
Couldn't be evacuated with me
To somewhere in Cumberland.

Me Ma couldn't see me off.
"Never mind," Aa said, "Aa'll be okay,
Don't want anybody cryin'
Over me at Tyne Dock station."

Aa wore me red Sunday best coat
With the black velvet collar
Shorley Temple's patent leather shoes
And a big white satin ribbon.

Wor teacher pinned me name on me chest
And pushed us aall onto the train.
Aa grabbed a seat by the window.
Saw another sea flashin' past.

Sunday:
We were sorted at Egremont,
Then Audrey Clarke, me, Audrey Jones,
Nine quiet boys and Miss Fittes
Got off the train at Silecroft.

In the parish hall women queued for us.
Aa was picked by one in lime-green linen.
Her collie and us walked uphill to a farm.
Aa picked bluebells, dogs daisies, shakin' grass.
We stopped at a five-barred gate.
Open.
"This is Whinfield," she said. "You're home."

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