We gathered at the school that day.
It was no longer ours
All the classrooms offices
Under Governmental Powers.
The area where once we played
Was crowded with us all
And buses parked awaiting us
So big, and red and tall.
For me a smallish ten-year-old
It was exciting and a thrill
Off to an unknown place of safety
Where blitz and warfare would not kill.
My parents were unhappy
To see me go from home
I was the last to leave them
My three siblings already gone.
So, all the children gathered
With gasmask, name-tag, case
We got on board the buses
Not knowing what we faced.
The buses reached the station
A train for us stood there
And soon we were all on it
And bound we knew not where
After what seemed ages travelling
We arrived by Devon’s sea
And taken to a local school
Where we were given tea.
Places for all had been found
In readiness for us
And in “crocodiles” we all set off
Without any further fuss.
Our “crocodile” grew shorter
‘Til I alone was there.
We called at the house were I was due
But, no reply, NO REPLY!! It was not fair.
The teacher, with the list, in charge,
Said, “Jimmy, come with me”
And to her home she took me
Into her family.
T’was in that house I gladly stayed
‘Til an air raid hit that place.
The bombs that fell damaged that home
So, back home to “smoke” I faced.
My days as an evacuee were very happy ones
Away from blitz and warfare and noisy ack ack guns.
Like many other ‘vacees I’ve written up my story
Because it’s a time we must not forget
In Great Britain’s history.
Jim Horsnell
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