Z1205/147

Female. Second World War evacuee to Wilstead who chose to remain. Husband was a prisoner of war in Japanese-held Burma. b. 06.07.1928 SIDE A(00 mins)One of 9 children born in Edmonton, London. Father died when he was 5. She was put into a children's home at Cricklewood, for 12 children, from 8 up to 11 years old. Mother had 4 more children by another man. Had to grow up quickly in the home, through responsibility for younger children. (05 mins)She and one sister lived with other children in the children's home; the rest of his siblings were scattered. Walked 2 miles to school and back, 3 times a day, including lunch. "Home kids" weren't allowed to mix with ordinary children at school. Well-dressed by the home. Had to attend Church 3 times on Sunday. (10 mins)Strict regime but children taken on holiday each summer to Dimchurch to an old air force base. No physical affection shown. Children did the housework under supervision. Good food but no choice. Had to eat everything. (15 mins)Kept very clean. When war broke out (3.9.1939), taken by train to Bedford. Were told they were going to the country and they all clapped. Taken by coach to 1, Railway Cottages, Oakley for three months, she and his sister. The two very old ladies found it too much so the two children were moved to Wilstead but split up. He was with another old lady for 3 weeks. Met up with his sister at school. He complained to the Billeting Officer that he was very unhappy. Another place was found eventually. (20 mins)She stayed with them for 9 years until he was 20, when she got married. A sister had written to her but the letters were never passed on to her by the lady she lived with, who didn't want her to leave because she did all the work in the house. Sought and found her mother and sisters when she was about to be married. Courted for 3 years a former soldier who had been in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, then married him in 1948 and shared a house next-door to his adopted home for 6 months. (25 mins)Daughter born in 1949. Qualified for first council house in 1951. Husband didn't talk about his wartime experiences but they affected his life in a number of ways. He died in 1986. (30 mins)Housing developments in Wilstead over the years. (32 mins)End of Side A SIDEB (00 mins)Got job selling groceries in the village Post Office. Stayed for 15 years. Knew everybody and, now she's retired, when she collects her pension, everybody knows her. Used to yearn to return to London but once she had children, one boy and one girl, she integrated into the community. In 2001, long after her husband's death, she was given £10,000 compensation for his suffering a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. (05 mins)Reflects on loss of neighbourly support for young mums and on young people's increasing expectations. Daughter married an American man and moved to Texas. (10 mins)Life of daughter and granddaughter. (13 mins)End of Side B END OF INTERVIEW.Original Interview 45 mins.

12 June 2002

From: 1925 To: 2002

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evacuees, prisoners of war, Sunday Schools, school managers, holidays, HOUSING, post office employee, grocers, Americans, Wilstead, Burma, Japan, Cricklewood, Edmonton, OAKLEY, Texas