大象传媒

This story has been written onto the 大象传媒 People鈥檚 War website by CSV Storygatherer Carole on behalf of Peter Nicholls. The story has been added to the site with his permission. Peter Nicholls
fully understands the terms and conditions of the site.

In the early part of 1942 I was told that I was going away from where I was living in Ealing, which was then in Middlesex. I think the pupils of the school I was attending at the time also were on the bus that I got on to take us to the station to get the train that was to take us to our destination.
It was not a worrying time for me, because between 1936 and 1940 I had not only changed schools but the circumstances of my life were to take such a change that going away did not matter to me.
So, early in 1942 a new adventure began, one which was to prove a happy time in my life. As my mother was with me, it wasn鈥檛 too much of a serious situation. More like going on holiday.
The bus moved off from the school. I had said goodbye to two special people. The adventure began!
I remember having a label on my school blazer and my gas mask round my neck. I don鈥檛 remember having a case with my clothes.
Our destination was Barnstaple, then Fremington, the village hall, where we had tea and meeting with the people we were to stay with. The lady in question was expecting a baby and wasn鈥檛 sure about this eleven year old boy! It all worked very well, though. They became 鈥渁untie鈥� and 鈥渦ncle鈥� to me, and so began a very happy period of my life. Michael was born at home on 19th December 1942. I loved it all.
Nearby was the American army camp. We village children were well stocked with goodies. Uncle Bert worked at the camp, so we were well looked after.
Bobbie the family cat was a rat catcher; we lived by the river. He would deposit half-eaten rats in the toilet where there was no lighting.
School was also a happy time. When the war was over, I didn鈥檛 want to go home!

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