Evacuation To West Hendred From 1941 To 1946

A Memory of West Hendred.

I was evacuated at the age of 4 yrs with my mother, Catherine and younger brother Alfred. We had been buried alive in a shelter, in Upton Park, East London and only saved when someone heard my mother screaming for help. I don't know how we got to WH but am told my mother arrived in the same dress she was wearing when she was dug out, it was soaking wet still. I wish I had got more information from her before she passed on. My father had to stay behind in London and eventually joined the army for the duration. My three elder sisters, Joan, Kath and Patricia had previously been evacuated to Wantage and in time we all came to live at Alpha Cottage in the village.When we arrived in the village , we were put up at The Vicarage, next to the church, and was looked after by a lady who was known as Lady Gwen Evans. I started school in the village in April 1941 and left in 1946 when we returned to London. We eventually moved into the cottage and i remember working for a farmer up the road called Mr. Kimber. He was missing his right arm and always wore a brown smock. I sometimes went to the church on a Sunday evening and stood behind the organ, pumping it up and down when the organist was playing. I only have happy memories of the village, and if required could expand on what I know. I have written my life story, and the early years deal with what i remember of the village and it's people. I have been back to the village but could not find anyone that remembered me or my family.

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