大象传媒

On a sunny day in early June 1940, some 200 children from our school in
Southend on Sea in Essex were whisked away to safety from the threat of
imminent invasion and air attacks by the Germans. Carrying suitcases and
gas masks we excitedly boarded a train bound for where? We had no idea, but
gaily waved goodbye to parents and to out seaside surroundings, the estuary
waters sparkling in the sunshine as we sped into the unknown. Six hours
later our world had changed forever. Gone were the boats, the beach, the
clean air. Now it was the head of a collery town, the pit head machinery,
the slagheaps of the industrial North. What would life be like in these
surroundings? Somehow we were all despatched without much delay to houses
all over the town taken in by complete stangers. In less than twelve hours
our lives had been transformed - it was a day never to have been forgotten.

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