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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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Taking in Evacuees

by Derbar

Contributed by听
Derbar
People in story:听
Pop Hallett. Sophie Hallett, Gran Hallett, Joyce Hallett. Barbara Hallett. Dolly Bodill. Stella Bodill
Location of story:听
Cornwall
Background to story:听
Civilian
Article ID:听
A3935063
Contributed on:听
22 April 2005

Everyone who lived in the country was asked to take in evacuees from the cities, which were being bombed. We had relatives who lived in London (Dolly and Stella and Gran) Dolly was my favouite beloved Aunty, Stella was her daughter, my cousin a year younger than myself, Gran was my Dads (Pop) Mum greatly loved by all. After Aunty Dolly was bombed out for the 2nd time, it was decided she and Stella should come to stay with us in Cornwall - here the War barely touched our lives. Dad insisted that his Mum came too. Our family consisted of Mum, Dad, Sister Joyce (12) myself (2). We lived in a 2 bedroomed bungalow with no extensions! Mum being an inventive person worked out a way of fitting us all in.
Gran and Sister Joyce shared the small back bedroom. Mum and Dad had the large front bedroom. Stella and myself, being babies , were billeted in large drawers (made into cots) under the dining room table. (It was supposed to act as a makeshift shelter should we recieve a direct hit! And Aunty Doll? Well, she worked nights at the local small arms factory, and Dad worked Days - so when Aunty arrived home in the morning, Mum and Dad evacuated the bed, and Aunty got in! We lived like this until 1946!
Mum spoke of these years as very happy ones, surrounded by those she loved best.
There are other memories of which I shall write later. Incidently my own children are fascinated by our War stories, and ask us to tell them to their friends and partners.

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Message 1 - Taking in evacuees

Posted on: 22 April 2005 by Raymond

I was born in 1937 and my English mother and Belgian father, together with my sister and me spent some time in Amroth, Wales to escape the bombing in London. Although very young at the time, I remember how my mother used to push me in the pram along a pathway on top of the cliffs and then had to walk some distance along the beach to reach the village. She then had to hurry back before the tide came in.
My sister and I used to collect shells and pieces of softened coloured glass on the beach and we had a hidden treasure on a sunken ship on one of the beaches. I am convinced that the contact with the rugged and beautiful nature had a lasting effect on my life.
Raymond

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This story has been placed in the following categories.

Childhood and Evacuation Category
Cornwall Category
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