大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Deena Campbell from WM CSV Actiondesk on behalf of Nora Doswell and has been added to the site with her permission Nora Doswell fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

It was September 1939. My family consisted of our Dad, Terry in the TA almost 18, Kath aged sixteen, Dennis 鈥� thirteen, John-ten and me Nora. Our mum had died a few months previously. There had been plenty of talk of war but it meant nothing to me. The day came when our Terry went off to the army. Dennis was evacuated to Tewkesbury. I couldn鈥檛 quite understand why they had left home. Then, although I didn鈥檛 realise it at the time, came the worst day of my entire life. Dad told me and John that the Germans were going to bomb Birmingham as to keep us safe we were to be evacuated to the countryside. I didn鈥檛 know what he was on about but I knew we were going on a train.

Kath packed mine and John鈥檚 clothes in two bags, and then Kath and Dad took us to school. It was only when we went into the playground and saw all the other children with their bags and suitcases with their parents were very upset. That鈥檚 when the full impact of what was happening, hit me like the force of a sledge hammer. Our Dad was making me and John leave home. Kath gave us lots of hugs and kisses and was crying. Dad, who was usually always smiling, looked very solemn. I suddenly felt sick with fear and dread. It invaded my whole body. I couldn鈥檛 believe it. Our dad and Kath were making me and John go away from them.

鈥淣o Dad, no Dad no Dad, please, please Dad don鈥檛 send us away- I鈥榣l be a good girl!鈥� I screamed. Dad said very sternly 鈥淵ou have to go,鈥� and started weeping. I watched Dad and Kath walk away and clung on to John for dear life. I was screaming, crying and scared stiff鈥hen I wet my knickers鈥�.

We were put on a coach and then on a train for our journey. I was devastated and heartbroken at only five years old. I didn鈥檛 shed any tears after that but the fear, sorrow and misery lived on and still does鈥eep in my soul.

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