大象传媒

My brother and I, aged 5 and 9 respectively, were standing at Gateshead station, on the platform with many other children and parents, as we waited to board a train. We had name labels attached to our clothing and each child had with them, as instructed, a bag containing items of tinned food. Our mother repeated to me for the last time before we left no to be separated from my brother and we had to stay together. I was in charge at age 9 in 1939.
After tearful farewells the train left, and then shortly arrived at Richmond. Children were then shepherded around the town by a billiting officer to find their accomodation.
Several times we two came to families who would take one or other of us, but not both.
I stuck with my instructions and said no to all the offers, remebering my mothers words as I did. Eventually we were the only children left as we came to a road where two neighbours said that they would take one of us each, and so we would be a door away from each other. The billiting officer kindly asked my permission and I said yes.
For about two years I had a happy time with this lady (Mrs Wilkinson) and her husband, who though they had no children of their own, treated me just like a daughter. It only came to an end because Eric's people were moving into the city and so my parents decided it was best to bring us both back to Gateshead.
Many years later, in the seventies, with my husband and two sons and our first car - we had a run down to Richmond to look again and explain more to my family where I had stayed. I found the house with a little difficulty and the door was answered by an old lady, with very obviously dyed as a berry red hair and though I recognised her straight away, sadly she didn't recognise me. Even when I reminded her of who I was, she simply smiled vacantly.
Then a younger lady from next door came across, helped her back into her house and when she was out of earshot explained that the lady had not been well. Implying sadly that her memory and reaction were the affects of senility. I was upset by this, saddened to think that she did not remember our considerable time together. Feeling the If Only thoughts of should I have gone sooner - very difficult though to make a speculative visit without your own transport, but a missed opportunity for reminiscence

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.