´óÏó´«Ã½

I had little choice but to be evacuated despite technically living outside the Birmingham ‘danger zone’ because my education at Handsworth Technical School would have had to cease.

We shared Hanley Castle Grammar School with its students. They attended for half each day and we the other. As things became better organised we also had use of the village hall, almost opposite Hanley Castle Post office. Later on we even had a coach to take us to Worcester Technical College.

Edward and Maisey Shepherd were the ideals parents and my days at their farm in Hanley Castle were very happy.

Living on the farm, I took charge of the 200 or so ducks and hens the Shepard’s had and, along with another evacuee we stayed there until Upton was bombed in the summer of 1940. A single German aircraft attempted to bomb not only the new Upton Bridge but also the large petrol dump. Both targets fortunately were missed. But this caused an outcry from parents because we had been evacuated to one of the first places to be bombed in the UK. The group of us from Handsworth Technical College were immediately brought home, just in time for the major autumn bombings in Birmingham!

Two days after I was evacuated to Upton on Severn by train, I attended church with my new family. It was during the service at 11:00 that the ´óÏó´«Ã½ announced that we were at war with Germany. The vicar learned of this and interrupted the service to inform the congregation.

I only remained with my evacuee family for only a year and a half I kept in touch for the next 40, visiting Mrs. Shepherd at Christmas and other times throughout the year.

After the war Mrs Shepherd received a personally signed testimonial from the Queen thanking her for taking in evacuees. She had is framed and it took pride of place over her fire. I inherited it after her death.

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Anastasia Travers a volunteer with WM CSV Actiondesk on behalf of Peter Cashmore and has been added to the site with his permission. Peter Cashmore fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

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