大象传媒

When France fell, the South coast of England became part of the front line, in what was to become fortress England.
Preperations were made to evacuate school children to what was deemed to be, safer parts of the country.
At the outbreak of war, my parents had considered sending me to Canada, to an aunty who had married a Canadian soldier after the first world war and had lived in Canada since. The sinking of a large ship carrying children to Canada by a German submarine and further such passages were abandoned.
Now my parents decided that I should join other children in Hastings who were evacuated, mainly to the northen home counties.
We were gathered together at our various schools and bused to the railway station. Saying goodbye to my parents was quite emotional, especially for parents, who better understood that the final destination of their children was unknown and the duration of the seperation was dependant on numerous imponderables.
My journey ended at a school in St. Albans where we were allocated to families who had volunteered to take us into their homes. Here I was introduced to a nice lady who I later called "Aunty Vera". I was extremely fortunate, in that I spent a very happy two or so years with aunty Vera, who lived with her mother and brother.The brother became known to me as "Uncle George", and I was treated like one of the family and would be taken out at week-ends in their car, to visit other members of the family.
Being evacuated to St. Albans did not mean that we were completely free from danger and we would huddle in the cellar below the house during air raids.
Saturdays I remember as being the time for shopping for food. Queing all down St. Peter`s street, one of the main streets inthe city centre, for just three eggs. Then on to the pie shop, or anywhere that it was rumoured something edable was being sold.
I did get some schooling during this period, although the influx of hundreds of extra children obviously created serious problems for the authorities. In my case we were taught in a church hall.
After about two years I wanted to go home and I did return to my family in Hastings. Soon after returning, the raids by V1 rockets started and I remember the frightening noise that these "Doodle Bugs" made. With flames streeming out of the back, it really was quite scary. The V1`s were aimed at London and most would fly over Hastings, although several were brought down by anti-aircraft fire and fighter aicraft.
Later, Hastings was attacked quite frequently by German fighter-bombers. One Sunday morning, by a freak of bad luck bombs struck a number of pubs, seven in all I believe, killing and injuring a lot of people having what they thought, was a quiet pre-lunch drink. On another ocassion, whilst out shopping for my mother, at local shops, a German plane flew low up the road firing its guns. I ran for my life and luckily found a lady just entering her house and was able to take shelter.
When peace was declared in Europe, the celebrations were wonderful, my friends and I went to the "Old Town", where hundreds were dancing and singing in the streets.
My family were able to celebrate again, when my brother returned from service with the R.A.F. in India.

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