Evacuee
My name was Evelyn Smith "Eve". I was evacuated to my uncle and aunt's home during the war. My uncle was Sidney Smith - he was station master. We lived at 3 Coombe Lea. Miss Richardson was our school teacher - a really beautiful lady and an excellent teacher. My best friend was Nancy Leach - she lived in Dawes Cottage. I remember the gypsies who came through the village - the eldest girl was named Caroline. There were twin boys who lived on a farm - can't remember their names. Skinner's farm was just down the lane from 3 Coombe Lea - they brought fresh milk to our house every day - or maybe we fetched it from the farm in our little churn - not sure - but it was always warm from the cow - LOVERLY!! My cousin Josie and another cousin from London (Ettie) were land girls in Tipton.
Buster (last name skips my memory at the moment - was connected with the Great Train Robbery when he grew up). Does anyone remember him? Does anyone remember who he was bilited with? I remember a little black girl from Abyssinia who lived in one of the Coombe Lea houses - I thought she was one of the most beautiful little girls I had ever seen - I just adored her tight curly black hair. She was the very first black person I had ever seen. There was another local girl who lived in Tipton - I think here name was Renee West - a friend of mine and Nancy's. I married and came to the United States in 1955 - my name is now Eve White - husband's name is Kenneth. I still keep in touch with Nancy Leach - since 1945!! I would love to hear from anyone in Tipton.
By the way, I am a writer of cat books. Look me up on the web for a synopsis of my first book at "www.dinklesmiff.com"
E-mail: ew37214@bellsouth.net
2700 Nodyne Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214 U.S.A.
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RE: RE: Evacuee
Hi my name is Julia Harrop nee Hobday
I have many happy memories of Tipton. My sister Shirley aged 5years and brother Philip aged 6years were evacuated to Tipton in Sept 1939 from London. Shirley and I, aged 4 years, stayed with Mr and Mrs Marchant at the bottom of the hill in a row of houses, Philip stayed with a Miss Beer near Askews farm. My stay at Tipton was wonderful, going to church on Sundays and the Sunday walks were an absolute joy, picking primroses or bluebells in the woods or a walk out to Manleys farm. I still enjoy watching birds, and walking, and love my garden
My school days were happy days and Miss West and Miss Richardson were great teachers. My friends were Mary Metherel, Margaret Parsons, Valerie Askew. I remember having to carry our gas masks to school every day. Sometimes we went for a walk over to the mill to see the Sargeants, Mary, John and Eddie.
Bert and Ida Baxter lived in the village. Bert was signalman at the railway station. I am pretty sure their granddaughter was Penny Lane, we used to visit them often.
I also remember Kathleen Bastin who lived just up from us and Anne Bailey, Renee West and the Leachs, also Agnes the little black girl.
Before closing this I must say Auntie and Uncle Marchant were wonderful to us, and to all the people in Tipton, this is a big thankyou.
I migrated to Australia in 1957 as a 10 Pound Pom working for the government nursing in South Australia, eventually moving to Victoria where I married and have lived ever since. Have never been back to England but never say never.
I would love to hear from anyone who remembers these days.
Comment from Julia Harrop on Tuesday, 27th January 2009.
RE: RE: Evacuee
If Julia Hobday contacts this page again, please leave your address or e-mail address so that I may write to you.
We have so many memories to share. I still write to Nancy Leach.
Eve White
ew37214@bellsouth.net
Comment from Eve White on Thursday, 29th January 2009.
RE: RE: Evacuee
Hello, I was reading your wonderful comments and I felt I had to write. I am a great lover of Tipton, my family have been living in the village for generations, my grandparents have lived there all their lives and my children now go to the school. I was wondering if you knew Daisy Wood/Ebdon or Joyce or her father Richard Ebdon from your time in the village? Or Monty or Peter Blanchford. Joyce and Peter would have been 3-5 years old in 1945, are now married and still living in Tipton, they are my great and grandparents. It would be lovely to hear any more memories from your time there.
Comment from Francesca Small on Monday, 28th December 2009.
RE: RE: Evacuee
Hello Francesca,
I have been very remiss not to have checked this site out before but so pleased to see someone had replied.
Yes i do remember the names that you have mentioned the blanchards in Particular.
Have actually plucked up courage to make my first trip back to England in 53yearsand will definitely be coming back to Tipton it would be great if we could meet up .
I leave here 25th May and will be there for nine weeks.
Hopefully you will read this and maybe you could give me a phone number and email adress.
Am really getting quite excited about this trip as i still have three brothers and a sister in england.
My email adress is snages@tadaust.org.au
regard Julia harrop nee Hobday
Comment from Julia Harrop on Saturday, 30th January 2010.