St Mary Chuch
I live in the USA, but my home was St Marychurch, a special place run by Catholic nuns during World War 2. I was barely two years old, and I was brought there with my five-year-old sister by my aunt, because my father was killed in action in a Lancaster bomber plane when returning back to England after a raid on Germany. My mother could not take care of us as she had a breakdown. We spent ten years at Marychurch with the refugees and even though I did not know the full consequence of war I can remember the siren and being lifted out of my bed by women in black and white hoods - the nuns. These Catholic nuns fed me, dressed me, and comforted me when I cried. I think of their caring hands when I was sick.
When I was old enough to attend the Catholic school with children that came from outside they called us "Indoor kids" and we called them "Day kids". I return to Devon every two years and always go and visit Marychurch and attend Mass. I am so thankful for the wonderful childhood they gifted to me and my sister. I joined the Royal Air Force and did my nursing training. I married an American and had three wonderful children who have shared my visits to Marychurch. I run a nursing home in Los Angeles and my son James is a professor and is a great writer and he is writing a book regarding Marychurch.
I would like to try and contact someone who has lived there during World War 2 to give us more details on Marychurch, and who remembers the orphanage.
Thank you,
June junebugpom@earthlink.net
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RE: RE: St Mary Chuch
DEAR JUNE ,I HOPE YOU GET MY MESSAGE. I READ YOUR ARTICLE ABOUT ST MARYCHURCH.MY FAMILY THAT IS MY MARRIED FAMILY ALL HAVE MEMORIES OF BEING AT SCHOOL THERE.MY WIFE AND BROTHER BOTH WENT TO THE PRIORY SCHOOL. MY WIFES MOTHER WORKED IN THE LAUNDRY.SHE HAS OFTEN TOLD ME ABOUT HER SCHOOL DAYS AND HER FRIENDS . IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS LET ME KNOW ,AND I WILL TRY TO ANSWER THEM.
ERIC HARWOOD
Comment from Name withheld on Saturday, 12th July 2008.
RE: RE: St Mary Chuch
Re St Marychuch Hello to everyone who has mentioned the Priory Shool in St Marychurch, yes I spent my whole school life at the Priory and remember it well, my brothers and sisters did their schooling there as well. June who mentioned the orphanage and the Nuns who looked after her during the war reminded me of the Nuns who were my teachers, and yes I can still remember their names. The orphanage was at the back of the school, but I won't go on about the school because I remember every inch of it, therefore, it would be nice to share my time and knowledge of the school. Best regards, Pat Slaney (Burke)
Comment from Pat Slaney on Tuesday, 5th April 2011.