´óÏó´«Ã½

I was only a small child during the war and three evacuees came to stay with us for 18 months — Pat, Olive Dashwood and Joyce (now Biggs). They all came from Dulwich and stayed with us in Pulborough from 1943 to 1945. The evacuees were all about 9 — 10 and fully integrated into the family. Lots of other children from the same area came to Pulborough and their ages ranged from 9 — 14 and they were spread out through the local schools, we used the Amberley wild brooks as a playground. My father was the local baker which was a protected occupation, so he didn’t go to war but became an air-raid warden. I remember being taken to the top of the church which was the look-out for Pulborough. Just below the church there was a concrete gun emplacement, which was the only one for the village.

The one and only bomb in Pulborough was dropped by a German bomber who wanted to get rid of his bomb so that he could go home. The bomb landed on Stopham and killed the local vicar.

I remember later on in the war, a Doodlebug was overhead, and we had to hide under the kitchen table. We heard it explode over Wiggenholt Common and it was a talking point in the village.

On occasions we were allowed to go to Wiggenholt Common, which was usuall strictly out of bounds because it was a training ground. There we watched the Canadians training, firing at a first world war tank for target practice. Canadians were often present in the village and there are still relics visible at Amberley wild brooks today.

I remember VE day celebrations in the village. There was a street party and fancy dress competition. There was a Indian man who walked on hot coals as entertainment. As a 5-year old this made quite an impression on me.

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