At the age of 7 I was evacuated to Elstow, Bedfordshire. We were taken to the village school and allowed to play in the sand pit. At first I didn't take any notice that one by one the children from the sand pit were taken away. It was not until there were only a handful of us left that I began to wonder where everyone had gone, I wasn't unduly worried as I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Many years later I realized what had been happening. People were allowed to choose their evacuees. Many wanted strong youngsters able to help out on the farm or around the house. I possibly was too skinny to be of much use. June Stillman