June 1940.
All Schoolchildren to be evacuated from the South Coast. France has fallen,invasion is imminent. Will Hitler follow William the Conqueror and land at Pevensey? Its only 3 miles to the east.
St Andrews Church School.All Children,from 4 to 8 Years old to assemble at the Railway Station,destination unknown. With my 4 Year old brother,Roy, I waved goodbye to Mum surrounded by other mums all tearful and anxious.
With Labels and Gas masks, we fitted into the carriage,watched over by Miss Marsh,a stout red faced mistress who suffered no nonsense.Halfway into the journey we started to eat our packed lunch. But where was Roy's Mars bar? Miss Marsh looked even more red faced,as she furtively stowed away the wrapper.
When the train stopped,(Bishops Stortford)we made our way to a Hall,where the Billeting officers and well meaning others, plied us with drinksand cakes. Later I arrived at Mrs Linda Chapmans house in 19 Scott Rd.ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ to Mr Joe, and sons Phillip and John. They had a bath!!
Settling in I realised that my brother was not with me,strictly against mothers orders.Although just 7 Years old,I kept asking where my Brother was,making enough fuss so that after a few weeks, they took me away from the happy Chapmans and placed me with Roy. He was billeted with a young woman who had 2 small children,couldnt cook and shouted all the time.
Once again I caused such a fuss that we were both moved back to Mrs Chapman. Excellent.We stayed for about a year,then were taken home to Eastbourne by Dad to a new house,which had a BATH!
-To be continued.................
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