大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Bev Dann of the County Heritage Team on behalf of Mr John Whife and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I was 10 when war broke out and was actually a boarder in Alexander Orphanage which was situated near Hampstead Heath. After the death of the Duke of Kent it was renamed Royal Alexandra School. Not long after the outbreak of war I was evacuated to Bedford, we travelled in a 'charabanc'. We stayed there for about six months. My younger brother was evacuated with me but we stayed with different families. I must say I enjoyed the 'family life' and mixing with the local childfen and sharing their school, going to lessons on a half-day rota system. We were there about six months and then went to Bishops Wood near Reading where I remained until I left school. I then returned to South East London and can vividly remember the Doodle Bugs, the noise that they made and then the silence, nearby houses were destroyed and people were killed. I can remember the rationing, no coffee and salt on my porridge and also having clothing coupons.

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