大象传媒

I was born 21st July 1934 and was 5 when war broke out. I lived in Prenton, my father went to sea on the cruise liners as an entertainments officer. My mother was often on her own and there were 5 children. She gave birth to my sister Kathy 2 weeks before war broke out. Three of us were eligible for school and mother wondered what she would do. She decided we 3 older children would be evacuated. We were sent to Montgomery/Wales. I remember going with packed luncheon. At first we thought it was an exciting adventure. We set off from Woodside, arriving at a village hall. We were all on a stage, waiting to be chosen! At first a farmer wanted only my sister and I, not my brother. Eventually we went to that farm without my brother. We were happy there. I remember a new born pig being kept warm at the side of the oven in the black grate.
A short time later, the farm had to take RAF members, so we were forced to move to a house (still 2 sisters). We were very unhappy. She had a maid who looked after us. If we didn't eat all our food we were forced to eat it at the next meal until we did eat it. At some stage the maid felt sorry for us and would get rid of it. One of the things I remember was getting pans of snow to use as water. We were never allowed to have a bath.
My mother came to visit us after a very long journey. The maid answered the door and mother was told "The lady of the house was having her lie down", so my mother had to wait it seems. Soon after my mother arranged for us to be taken to Barmouth, where we were put in a hostel,(cold & bleak).
We slept in dormitories with lots of other girls, there were open fires and chamber pots under beds. A lot of bullying went on with the girls. We were made to put hot coals from the fire into the chamber pots and take them to the older girls beds to warm them (very dangerous).
The ladies who dealt with food were nice. We all got scabies and lice. I remember being in long queues and thought it was good the more lice you had.
Lots of things were stolen. My mother visited us, and when we were walking down the road she saw 2 girls wearing our coats. I don't remember many other people having visitors. Eventually one of the ladies who dealt with the food asked me (just me) would I like to live with her. At the same time I heard of another place where just I could live with 4 other children. I was allowed to choose where I would like to go. I thought I would like to go with the lady who did the food, but they said I may be lonely, so I went where the other children were. The house was called 'Talacre'. It was at the top of a lane. It was awful. I shared a bed with another girl, we wet the bed we were so traumatised. We had to change the beds ourselves. I went to school in the village hall. In the holidays and weekends whatever the weather we had to go to the beach. At lunch time they would have a big white tablecloth in the garden, so we knew to come for lunch. We were all very cold. I had bronchitis many times.
My sister was 2 miles away. I would see her at school. We had sweets sent from Americans. I think I was about 8 years old when I returned home, so I was away quite a long time. I did go back many years later, I felt angry. Some years after that I found the house but didn't speak to anyone, by then I felt I had come to terms with my anger.
As an afterthought my mother never knew how unhappy we were and we were frightened to say in case they took it out on us.

'This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by 大象传媒 Radio Merseyside鈥檚 People鈥檚 War team on behalf of the author and has been added to the site with his / her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.'

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