大象传媒

As a seven year old, war was something completely unknown. It was a mystery where adults were expected to have answers and I, for one such child of the time, had complete confidence in my parents, yet wholly unaware of the terrible decisions they were having to take. Of their feelings, watching us go, one can only guess. I was evacuated to Yorkshire and stayed with a farmer's wife.

A few months later, my mother came to see me. I was trying to rest on a leather sofa in the parlour having developed a fever. I don't think it was much used since my light weight had no effect on the spring upholstery and I kept rolling off. I could not blame my brother for this as he was not there. About this time my mother had left my father at home, to be with us and having found work in a munitions factory, much to my father's diusgust, was able to find digs for herself in Mansfield. When she saw me she was so dismayed that she then made arrangements for new digs for me in Mansfield. This was a better home which pleased my mother and the lady was very kind.

I did settle eventually and for a time I was happy. A visit from my brother pleased me immensely.

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Helena Noifeld and has been added to the website on behalf of Gwendoline Ardley with her permission. She fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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