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Anne was in her early twenties during the war. She did not go into the women’s forces; instead she looked after the children. She travelled with 24 evacuees from Tunbridge Wells to Cornwall on the train. Anne and another woman had to look after the distraught evacuees aged four to seven. She says that it was lovely to get the children out of this part of the country. All the children went to different families. Most of their fathers had gone to war.

Her two brothers took part in the war. One, Eric, was a commando who has recently received a medal from the Queen, for taking part in both World Wars. The other was sent to Italy to fight.

Her family has always been musical; she played the keyboard when she was younger. Her son ran the Tunbridge Wells ‘Big Band’ until her grandson (his son) took over.
At the end of the war she can remember the celebrations. Trestle tables were put in the street, laid out with tea. The children were all glad to go home. She now has four great grandchildren.

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