Will we ever truly understand the resilience of a child in the face of war? Some experiences of war will be hidden away from society forever, however some are still alive to tell their story, my great grandmother, Brenda, born on March 24, 1935, who is still alive to this day, was only the age of 4 and ½ when she was sent away from the only place she knew to be home, as the world around her plunged into war in September 1939. She was evacuated with her two sisters, Ada and Rosetta, who were around 6 and 9 at the time, from the Eastend of London to the western border of Somerset in the Quantock Hills.
When they arrived at the Quantock hills, they were taken to Crowcombe Hall where the villagers were to pick any evacuees. My great grandmother, Brenda, and her sister Rosetta were taken to a villager named Mrs Cullham, whilst her other sister, Ada was separated from them. Their house was on the edge of the Quantock Hills, and a mile and a half walk from school, a journey they took daily.
Their stay with Mrs Cullham lasted a while until her pregnancy caused them to move. They were relocated to live with her sister-in-law, Mrs Tuckfield. Whilst they were here, they were introduced to a new routine, assisting her in cleaning the church and schools, which the children never received any money for.
During their stay here, they visited Taunton, where a grand house was billeted with soldiers who entertained the villagers with concerts. In the winter, a special Christmas dinner was also arranged here, where all the evacuees were invited and taken by coach.
However, not all the memories were very pleasant. Ada was sent away to a Wayward Girls Hostel on a fabricated excuse. My great grandmother continued to stay with Mrs Tuckfield until she fell sick and had to be taken to Bridgwater Hospital. When she returned back to Mrs Tuckfield, two more evacuees had arrived, a girl named Edna and a young boy. When Edna’s mother came to visit, my great grandmother would have to give up her bed and sleep on the floor, she would not be allowed to argue about it.
After being evacuated for 5 years, her and her sister finally returned home at the ages of around 11 and 9, being the last ones to leave the village. The life they had lived in Somerset was all they had ever known, no matter how bad it was there it was like home for them, so they wished to return. Evacuation was rarely spoken about when they returned, everyone returning to their usual lives again.
This story of my great grandmother, Brenda, a child of war, shows the resilience and strength of being able to adapt, no matter how hard things were for them. Even being in a new environment, her and her sisters learnt to grow and find joy in the smallest things.
