- Contributed by听
- derbycsv
- People in story:听
- Anne Martin (nee Sheaf), Maisie Plumb (nee Sheaf), Henry and Kate Smith.
- Location of story:听
- East End of London (now Docklands) - Lockeridge, Wiltshire
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A5618324
- Contributed on:听
- 08 September 2005
This story was submitted to the People's War site by Louise Angell of the CSV Action desk at 麻豆官网首页入口 Radio Derby on behalf of Anne Martin. The author understands the sites terms and conditions.
1st September 1939, myself, sisters and brother were evacuated from West Ham in the East End of London. I was 8, Maisie 10, Joe 11 and Joyce 13. My first recollection of the journey was stopping for a break on the coach on route to Wiltshire. We were carrying our gas masks and had a drink and some biscuits. By the time we reached our destination it was night. We were taken to the village school. may and I were taken by car down a dark country lane (no lights of course). It seemed to take forever and was spooky.
The next day we awoke to a lovely sunny day on a farm. We were allowed to feed the chickens but I dropped the bucket when the chickens flocked towards me in a hurry for their breakfast, and ran back to the house.
Later in the day, May and I were taken back to the village of lockeridge to the home of Mr and Mrs Smith which was named Dene Cottage. They had a lovely collie dog called Sam. we were taken care of very well but I missed my parents (mum especially). We were taken in at the village school which was good. We did painting, knitting etc. Each Sunday morning, May and I went to church which was so different to what we did in London. itwas a nice, peaceful time.
Mum sent us parcels every weekwith comics and sweets, which we really looked forward to. My father came and took us home after 3 months but my older sister and brother stayed on. we stayed in London through The Blitz and luckily we survived and are here to tell the story.
In later years, May and I returned to Lockeridge to locate Mr and Mrs Smith. Mrs Smith had returned to her native Wales after the death of Henry. We managed to locate mrs. Smith to thank her for taking care of us and made several visits to see her which she enjoyed very much and made her and ourselves very happy.
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