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This story has been entered onto this site by Lauren and Ashlea on behalf of Ben and they fully understand the conditions

‘In 1940 I was told I was going to be evacuated with my brother to live in Crook, Co Durham because I lived near a navy quarry that was frequently bombed. I can remember before I was evacuated a bomb went off near my grandma’s house when I was in her shelter. The garage near her house was bombed which was very close to us whilst we were in the shelter. Another time I can remember when my brother kicked what he thought was a bottle but then he realised that it was a bomb! Luckily he was not hurt. The one thing I can remember is ‘big bertha’ which sat on Lobley hill. It was very loud.

I was evacuated from my school with my bag and gas mask. I went and stayed with a really nice family who owned a terrace house and a farm. The house was much better than mine because it had electricity and it was very cosy. At the time I did not miss my family because I saw it as an adventure. I loved the family and stayed in touch with them because they sent parcels at Christmas. The thing I hated about the war was the ration books because I was always hungry and everything was recycled. But another thing I hated was knitted siren suits and I can remember a boy coming out with his 2 legs in 1! One Boxing Day I was going to visit the old house, but there were no buses so I never got a chance to go. But I have decided in light of this occasion, to try and go to Crook because my daughter lives near there.’

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