- Contributed by听
- Action Desk, 大象传媒 Radio Suffolk
- People in story:听
- Mrs. JD Brooks, my Mum's name Martha Fearnly, Mr and Mrs Edward Tate my mother's sisters Lily Appleton Ada & children.
- Location of story:听
- Woodbridge Suffolk and London.
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A4478079
- Contributed on:听
- 18 July 2005
I was just four years old when the war started. From 1936 we lived in London- the East End Bethnal Green. My mother and her sisters decided to go to the coast for a day out, we got on the train heading for Cromer. When we arrived at Woodbridge Station we were told we could not go there as it was too dangerous. We were all together on platform. I wanted to go to girls room. My Mother and I went to find a cloakroom. While we were gone a coach turned up to the others away. We did not know where they had gone. We were told somewhere outside Woodbridge. My Mum was worried. But a big car drew up and a man got out. The people in Woodbridge had (been)told to take (us)in their homes. We arrived at a big house and I think it was called "Windy Ridge". When we got there a Mrs Tate met us. We did not know at the time who she was. While we were there one night I heard a noise. I jumped out of bed (it) was all those planes and gliders going over. My mother came to the window and watched with me. Next morning it was on the radio that they were going to France. I did not understsand at the time.They were heading for Dunkirk. Sometime later Mrs Tate had a boat on the River Orwell. Two men came and took it to the coast.
After what seemed a lifetime we were allowed back to London. We had a letter from the family to say they had got through the bombing and were safe. We were wondering where they were living as they had so much to take in. We found that Mr Tate was in partnership with Mr Lyle's sugar beet factory at Bury St Edmunds. Unfortunately Mr Tate died on the 1950's but his wife lived in Assington near Sudbury- she also has died. Not long after she must have been but ninety years. We were all very grateful for what the family done for us. I myself also now live in Sudbury. We owe our lives to those people who put their lives in danger for us , and good will in others. I'v so many stories to tell about my war days as an evacuee but I guess this one stands out as the best one I remember. I hope in the rest of my life times and my daughter and her children will never see the like again what I went through, pushed from pillow to post never knowing if we were to see our homes again.
The end.
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