大象传媒

I was evacuated towards the end of the war - 15th July 1944 to be exact, the day before my 7th birthday. My brother and sisiter who were some years younger than me, had been evacuated to Cornwall with their schools some years earlier. My father was in the Army, having volunteered as he was too old for conscription (over 40) and was a Driving Instructor in the RASC.

I remember waiting at Southall Station with my mother, clutching my suitcase and wearing a green crotcheted bag across my shoulders. This held my tomato sandwiches which I was to eat during the journey - they were in a very squashed state by the time I came to eat them. No one knew where we would be going. The rumours were that it would be either Devon or Wales. In the event it was Yorkshire. I was transported from the train by ambulance, with about 6 others, to Heckmondwike where we were delivered to our allotted families. I was very fortunate. I stayed with the Fisher family consisting of 2 grandparents, their 4 daughters, one of whom was a single mother with a daughter of my own age called Pat, for whom I was to be a companion. We got on really well. I was there for only 7 months, during which time I went on my first holiday to Blackpool, known there as "Spend Valley". I was treated as one of the family and at Christmas time, we hung pillowcases at the bottom of the bed and wonder of wonders, Santa Claus had managed to dodge the bombs and filled them up while we were asleep. I was very homesick at times and would cry without really knowing why. My father visited me a couple of times when his convoy was stationed at Sheffield, but it was like meeting a stranger, as he had been away for so long. However, I was pleased when he brought us his sweet rations to be shared between Pat and myself. Although I was very pleased to be collected by my mother when the time came, I really missed the family I stayed with, especially as I had acquired a broad Yorkshire accent and my own family laughed their heads off every time I opened my mouth.

I had experienced quite a lot of the bombing while living in Southall, and remember clearly sleeping in the air-raid shelters which had been erected in the streets. At other times, we sat under the stairs when the sirens sounded. I don't remember ever being frightened, but then I was young. What I do remember is asking my mother who would win the war. "We will, of course" she said, so I knew we would be alright because my mum said so.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.