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Mrs P……. of Witney

I’m going to tell you about three evacuation stories, firstly my own.

Before the war actually started, arrangements were being made for me to be evacuated to the United States, but just as the war began, a liner was torpedoed in the Atlantic, with hundreds of children and parents on board and they all drowned. That put an end to me going.

I was 13 when we received instructions from my school, Roundhay High School in Leeds, that we would be evacuated; that was before the war broke out officially, though nearly everybody knew it was going to happen, because Poland had been invaded by Germany.

We had to assemble at school very early on 24th August 1939 with our rucksacks, a few clothes, underwear etc and our gas masks, which had to be carried at all times. They were in cardboard boxes with a strap to hang on the shoulder. We had all received instructions on how to put them on and look after them. Of course we also had to wear a large luggage lable with our name, home address, age on it. Our parents waved us off; some in tears and of course, the last minute hugs yet again and the children, some also in tears; everyone looking very white and scared.

We were being sent to safety in Otley, a small country town only a few miles away from our big city of Leeds, because there was thought to be a danger of bombing attacks even. There had been feverish arrangements made in Otley and in every town or village throughout the country, where evacuees were to be sent. People had been asked to come forward, preferably couples with children, to have us. The authorities had sent their staff round to the houses (in Otley, in my case), asking ‘Can you have one or even two evacuee children at your home?’

I was fortunate because my father was the assistant bank manager of a very big bank in Leeds, so he rang the manager of Barclays Bank in Otley, Mr S… and asked him if he and his wife were willing to have me; they were. They were a very nice couple and had a son of about 16 and a daughter of 14. So they were at the reception centre in Otley to collect me when we arrived.

We started school the next day, 26th August was my 14th birthday! I had never been at school on my birthday before; I was disgusted! Otley High School had lessons in the mornings. There were, I think, about 600 in the school with their teachers and afterwards they went home. Roundhay High School took over in the afternoon and we had our own teachers; some had been called up, although teaching was a preserved occupation, as were some key people.

On Sunday 3rd September, the radio programmes had all been stopped, ready for special announcements and they played music such as ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’, ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’ etc. Then at 11 o’clock, the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, came on the wireless to tell us we were at war with Germany; then the National Anthem was played. Can you imagine how awful that sounded? Very! Soon afterwards, there were air raid sirens blaring out in many parts of the country, but they were reconnaissance aircraft, not bombers coming over.

Of course, we felt homesick and longed for the comfort of our parents, but we had lots of letters, not many ‘phone calls; people didn’t use the ‘phone much in those days. There were more parcels too, of things we needed and had left at home; sometimes with pocket money in them and sweets.

The bombing/gassing etc for which we had been prepared didn’t come, so at Christmas, it was decided that we should all go home again. I had the worst report I’d ever had in my school career, but it wasn’t easy to concentrate and there were many diversions. There must have been many others like me.

In the spring of 1940, my father was appointed manager of a bank in Birkenhead, so we moved there and the bombing began in earnest; it was very frightening indeed. Liverpool was one of the main ports for Atlantic convoys coming from the USA and Canada.

My friends Primrose lived at Harrow on the outskirts, then, of London. She was not evacuated until Sunday 3 September. She was 11; arrangements had been made that in the event of war, the children would all be evacuated.

My sister in law, Wendy, was at boarding school in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. The staff were back before term to begin putting up black out curtains, as everyone had to do. When war was declared, the headmistress informed the staff that the school was needed for ‘The Ministry of Food’ for the duration. The head had known for a year, but didn’t tell anyone! The children were all taken from the school to the beautiful Chatsworth House. The Duke had to choose between the army or a school! Wendy didn’t go for 3 years, but lived her time there one term in the library for their dormitory; another one of the gorgeous lounges etc. At the end of the war, they were all allowed to go out on their bikes in the countryside. When they returned, there was a special tea and fireworks!

There were many children evacuated from the slums (very poor parts of the big cities). They had never had a night away from home; sometimes they took fleas or nits with them, which made it very difficult for the good people looking after them. They had no table manners etc. It was very hard for the children, but also for their hosts and teachers too.

They had to find clothes and shoes for them and had a very difficult time at the beginning. There were also many mothers with babies and very young children who were evacuated for many years into country, safe, areas.

Many friendships were made that lasted for years.
June 2005

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