大象传媒

I was evacuated from London just before my 6th birthday. I remember going on a train with lots of other children from my School. My Teacher was Miss Crump and I carried a haversack with the words 'Janet Robertson, Teacher Miss Crump' in large black letters on the back.

I was first taken to Potten End near Berkhamstead where I spent a few weeks with foster parents.

It was then decided that this was still too close to London, so I was then sent to Barley, Near Royston, Hertfordshire where I was given a billet with some wonderful people. Milly and Will Drayton.
I spent several years there and was very happy.

Later when things seemed to quieten down I returned to London but as the bombing got worse I was sent to Ely where I had several billets and was not happy in any of them. Eventually my parents asked if I could go back to live with Milly and Will, and that was agreed and I stayed there until it was safe to return home.

During my stay there my grandparents came down from London and also stayed with Milly and Will.

One very clear memory of all the people I was billeted with - everyone of them was concerned with regular bowel movements! and I was given either Milk of Magnesia or Syrup of Figs every Friday - I used to hate both - and still do - and would do anything to get out of taking it. No amount of bribery could make me take the syrup of figs until I was deprived of my pocket money. Then I just had to swallow my pride - and the medicine. All this must have done me some good as I have never had trouble in that department since.

After returning to London I still kept in contact with Milly and she came to all our family weddings and my Ruby Wedding celebrations. Her husband died many years ago but Milly is still alive and will be 99 on 17th October this year. They day before my 72nd birthday.

I considered that I was one of the lucky few who had good foster parents. I will always be grateful to Milly for being so well looked after and with kindness.

My father was a London City Policeman and during the bombing a portrait was painted of him in a tin helmet depicting a typical City of London policeman. This was published in the press with the inscription 'There was nothing he would not do' or maybe 'There was nothing he could not do'. I would dearly love to have a copy of that painting.

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