Ö÷²¥´óÐã

I was evacuated to Witney in 1940.

1. We were evacuated in September 1940 at the end of the summer holidays. The Battle of Britain was being fought in the skies above my home in Kent. To a 13 year old boy it was all very exciting. We knew nothing until the evening before, when a teacher came to our house and said that instead of going to school the next day, (first day of the Autumn term), I should go to the Railway Station at 9.00 am, taking my gas mask, a small suitcase and sandwiches for the journey.

2. I do not remember much about the train journey except that it took all day. We eventually were de-trained in Oxford and taken by bus to Witney.

3. and 4. As by then it was quite late in the day, we were taken to the Evening Institute in the High Street where we were given bread and jam and tea. At about 10.30 pm we were taken to the Cinema after the evening performance and settled down for the night, between and on the seats. I remember several boys settled down on the stage and one rolled off in the night. Although it was very hot when we went into the Cinema, it became very cold during the night as we had no blankets. We were all ready to return to the Evening Institute early next morning for more bread and jam and tea for breakfast. We then went along the High Street, stopping at the houses that were hosting us, until my friend and I were left at ….. High Street.

5. The main difference between Witney and Ashford at that time was that Witney was a much smaller town and that there were fewer signs of the war going on.

6. I don't remember particularly missing my family, and of course, it was a marvellous adventure. We shared the premises of Witney Grammar School, they used the building in the mornings and we in the afternoons. Mornings were spent playing football. Eventually our bikes were sent up and we were then able to explore the countryside.

7. ….. High Street was a larger house than my home and actually had a bathroom and hot water, luxuries we did not enjoy at home. (Most houses at that time were without bathrooms). I recall that we had a-cooked supper at 9.00 pm which was different to home.

8. I cannot remember too many particular events; there were of course, Sports Days and inter-school activities with Witney Grammar School.

9. I was a member of the School Cadet Corps and spent a fair amount of time at this. In the Summer of 1941 we swam and boated on the Windrush. We also did some crayfishing in the river.

10. My Mother came to visit once, she came by train and stayed with us at ….. High Street. At Christmas I went home for a couple of weeks and I remember that quite a number of boys did not return to Witney after the holiday. I stayed in Witney until July 1941. By that time the danger of invasion had passed and so it seemed safe to return home.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Address at start of the War ….. Somerset Road, Ashford, Kent.

Address in Witney. ….. High Street, Witney, Oxon.
School address prior to Witney. Grammar School, Hythe Rd, Ashford
Ashford, Kent.

Other Evacuees. Mr. Alan F….., Ashford, Kent.
Mr. Edward D…...Kennington,Ashford, Kent.

Host Family. Mr & Mrs. T….. who had two grown up children with families of their own. Mr..T……. was in a senior position at Early's Mill and was Chairman of the Town Council.

I hope the above will be of some help in preparing your booklet and you may certainly quote anything from this letter.

Doug A……
Adelaide,
S. Australia.
20th June 1989

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