大象传媒

September 3rd 1939 was the beginning of my growing up from child to teen-ager. Although life continued much as before, we had already been issued with gas masks, Identity Cards and ration books and these articles soon became part of every day life. However, circumstances were soon to change.

I was living in Cheriton, Folkestone and attending St Mary`s Convent in Shorncliffe Road and it was not long before schoolchildren from London began to arrive as Evacuees. However, they were soon to be returned to London or sent elsewhere as the danger to the Coastal towns came closer. They were followed by many more soldiers than usual many of whom were billeted around the town as well as at Shorncliffe Barracks.

It was soon decided that the children must go and the Convent School was, accordingly, evacuated to Totnes in Devon in the Spring of 1940. I could not go as my fathers business (a laundry) was badly hit by the recession in his trade with the hotels and boarding houses closing and money was very short.

My mother then approached the Education Officer with a view to finding me a place at a remaining Folkestone School and she was told that I could join the Folkestone Girls Grammar School and that I would be moving with them to Merthyr on June 10 This news to an eleven year old only child was very exciting.

In the days leading up to 10 June I was well aware of the battles going on across the Channel and how dangerous it would be for may parents staying on in Folkestone.

June 10 dawned bright and sunny and, farewells having been said, the train left on its tortuous long journey. I made a new friend (I cannot remember her name) and we decided that, when we arrived in South Wales, we would like to share a home to-gether, wherever that might be. After many hours of travel and many stops at various Staions where ladies (WVS ??) handed us drinks of water, we eventually arrived at Cardiff where we had to change to a local train for the journey through the valley to Merthyr.However, when we got to Mountain Ash my new friend had to say good-bye as she was a pupil at the Technical School and they were being billeted there. More Goodbyes! By then I was really feeling sad and missing my parents.

Finally we arrived at Merthyr Tydfil and were welcomed by the local Colliery Band and taken to a large hall for tea after which we were taken to our Billets.

My hosts were Mr and Mrs Williams and their daughter and son-in-law and they all seemed terribly old to me at the time although they must have been much younger than I am now. They lived at 7, Gwendoline Street, Dowlais and the local mine could clearly be seen. What a difference from Kent!!

Eventually, I was taken to join my new school at Cafarfa Castle which we shared with the Harvey Boys Grammar School and the Welsh School which attended there normally. The mornings and afternoon sessions we rotated.

Mr and Mrs Williams and family were very kindly folk who looked after me well. They had a very large garden in which they grew loads of vegetables and I very much enjoyed helping to pick and eat them.

The End of Term came and none of the Folkestone evacuees were allowed to return home because of the situation but my parents had some good friends in Tonbridge and they offered to let my mother and I stay with them for the holiday. However, to-wards its end my mother managed to have me transferred to the Tonbridge Branch of the Girls Grammar School and she returned to Folkestone and the Laundry where things were improving as my father had managed to secure some Army Contracts.

Whilst living in Tonbridge I witnessed much of the Battle of Britain being fought overhead and I shall never forget the sight of the dog fights going on over the Weald. Similarly, I shall never forget the sight of the glow in the sky as London burned during the blitz; later, of-course, came the "doodle bugs" which were very scary and life at School was quite different as much of the time was spent in the Shelters...some bombs actually fell in the grounds of Tonbridge School, very close to my billet. However, in 1945 with the ending of the war it was possible to return home to Folkestone.

With my husband and three young sons, I returned to 7, Gwendoline Street in the mid-1960`s and what a Welsh welcome we received! Mr and Mrs Williams had passed on but the rest of the family were there and the tea and cake were produced. After an hour or so we had to take our leave and each of the boys was given a half-crown which we realised was a lot of money but to have refused it would, I am sure, have given offence and this, of course, was typical of the kindness of the WelshI had received during those days. PAMELA SAVAGE(nee Chilvers)

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