大象传媒

On Friday Sept. 1, 1939, the secondary school my young brother and I attended (the JSS) was evacuated to Bedfordshire class by class, so that all the pupils could be with their own age group and friends. It happended to be Leonard's, my brother, 9th birthday and he was fretful at having to leave home. He didn't want to wear his gas mask on his shoulder, which was mandatory, as well as his name tag and to carry our case with our clothes in it. As for me, I would be 14 in a few days time, and felt very grown-up at going away, and quite excited and hoping to share with my friend, Phyllis Drucker. We were in luck as a very nice lady chose us to stay with her in a comfy double room in her home. I wrote a little letter to our parents and was just posting it when the school principle called out to me that Leonard was crying for me and he said "collect your things for I must drive you to Mappershall and you can calm him down". When I got there I did manage to calm him but I had to stay in his group with the 9 year olds which was very annoying and disappointing as I had wanted to be with my friends.
We were both very miserable there, as we felt the hosts resented us and were unhappy at having to take us evacuees into their home. I remember September 3, 1939 as if it was yesterday. Our parents had come to visit and we were all huddled near to the wireless, quiet as mice, so as not to miss what Chamberlain would say. We gasped when he said we are at war for we thought never to hear those words.
As Leonard never settled properly, we were taken home after only 6 weeks. The very next day I went on a job interview for a hairdressing apprentice in the Picadilly Arcade and the day after that I started work. Even though only 14, and the bombs and blackout made life difficult, I was delighted to be home with my dear family, and of course Leonard was relieved.

Nina Lipman (Nanette Schneiderman)

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