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I was an evacuee. At the start of the War, Ashford was a reception area for children from London, but as the German troops advanced across France towards the Channel, these moved further inland.

In 1940 I was due to move from Junior school to Grammar school (moves were at age 11), but during the summer holidays arrangements were made to evacuate as many children as possible from Ashford. So it was, that the long train journey began - long in time since with hold ups etc. it took nearly all day - a journey which took some children to the city of Oxford, pupils from the County School for Girls to Burford and us boys from the Grammar School to Witney.

I believe that we left the train in Oxford and travelled the last part of the journey to Witney by bus. If memory serves me correctly we got off the bus at the Methodist Church/School and were served a late tea/supper. It was too late to be billeted that night, so we were marched off to the Picture House to spend the night there. It was not easy to sleep on our first night away from home - either in the seats or lying. between the seats on the floor. — It was very early in the morning that we ventured out into the light, and as we expected, fresh air: only to be assailed by the strong smell from the Brewery opposite.

Later that day (presumably after breakfast back at the Methodist School, we were taken to our "homes". I and a friend were billeted with a family with two boys of their own, both younger than us. We were made very welcome and were well looked after throughout our stay. My friend became homesick and returned to Ashford, although I cannot remember whether he stuck it out for a term or for longer. I missed home and family too, of course, but was happy to stay where I was, if that was considered best. Indeed, I have visited the good lady a few times since, and we continue to exchange letters at Christmas.

I suppose about half the school had evacuated, or perhaps rather more, but a section continued to function in Ashford, whilst we proceeded with our education under the masters who travelled with us. This meant that we continued to exist as the Ashford Grammar School for Boys, attending lessons in the Methodist School premises in the morning, and in the Witney Grammar School premises in the afternoons.

Boys returned to Ashford as homesickness became too great, and the threat of invasion of Britain seemed to recede. By the end of the first year the number of boys remaining had dwindled to under 20, the return home for the summer holidays being the final event that kept them in Ashford. The masters returned to Ashford - or had been called up for National Service - so the few of us who remained were integrated into the Witney Grammar School.

Another term - home for Christmas - and I too stayed in Ashford. Memories return of happy times, of a kind family, of the Saturday nights at "the pictures", of the old Buttercross, of the Windrush and the Green, and of much more; and as I have said I have revisited, seen changes, kept in touch, and hope to come back again.

Deryck O……. Upper Ruckinge, Nr. ASHFORD Kent, 1989

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