大象传媒

This story was written by Elsie Cary and put onto the website by Charlotte Gill at the Dingemans Centre in Steyning, West Sussex

To start with, two little girls were placed in my care very nervous and frightened, I felt so sorry for them. But my friend had two boys whom she could not manage so we did a swop. I didn't have any children myself at the time but i seemed to find it easier to look after the boys. The boys, Harry and Len aged between 9 and 10 years, were very different.Len was a know-it-all but Harry was quiet and at first very frightened of Rob my hubby. The boys came from Bermondsey and sounded like proper Cockneys.

I found out that Harry鈥檚 step-father used to beat him, so much so he had a burst ear drum. The only clothing he had he was wearing so we had a shopping day. He was so proud of his new clothes. He had never been out and about and something I shall never forget when we got to Worthing and he saw the sea he stood still and said 鈥� Blimey wot a lotta worta!鈥�

They liked me to tuck them in and say goodnight They told me they never had a kiss goodnight before. They stayed with us until the bombing stopped. Len was the first to leave. Harry did not want to go. We eventually lost touch.

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