Evacuee: Did I Do Something Wrong Mummy?
by World War Two affected many, including the children who were evacuated from their homes, away from their parents and siblings. This story is my father’s story. Names and places are left out for a reason but the facts speak for themselves. There are no photographs just memories.
I remember walking down a country lane, I was running an errand for a farm hand, I was to turn around and go straight back to the farm after completing my task but in my usual manner I dallied and dawdled, playing hunt the soldier in the hedgerows, the sun was warm and I was content. Two ladies passed by me and asked for directions to the farm I was living in, I gave them the directions and carried on down the lane. On my return I was called into the farmhouse kitchen, I loved this room it always smelled delicious. On entering the kitchen I saw the two ladies who had asked me the way, they were sitting having tea at the table. I remember that moment so clearly, I remember the moment when, Mother, son, brother and sister had failed to recognise each other, the siblings had grown and distress had aged the parent.
My mother’s love and my adoration of her took no time at all to fall back into place, we were reunited.
Nothing had prepared us for what we had had to endure, decisions of protecting us from others by others during troubled times were decisions that would probably not be made nowadays. My daughter says I needed protecting from the protectors, maybe she is right, who knew what was right or wrong for us during those days and nights, one thing I do know is that both mother and child suffered as a result of the separation. We picked up our daily routine but our hearts knew we had missed a few precious years together and that no one could give them back to us.
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Post CommentKaveri.Manohar
On August 10, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Really touching. I love it.
penny golding
On August 10, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Glynis that was beautiful yet I must say a tear jerker. Wonderful story. Great job!
Darlene McFarlane
On August 10, 2008 at 3:21 pm
It is a beautiful and touching story. Unfortunately it probably was the best thing to do for children in that time. I have heard such horror stories of children who were treated like slaves in those days, your father was very lucky. I am happy to hear mom and son were reunited but it was unfortunate that time was lost between them.
Such a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing a part of your family history with us.
Darlene
Glynis Smy
On August 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Thank you all for your kind words
Ruby Hawk
On August 10, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Such a sad story and it happened to so many during that time. Let us hope it never happens again.
Mystical Changeling
On August 11, 2008 at 12:32 am
You do have a way of writing the most moving stories. This is wonderful. I will be stumbling it.
tonisan60
On August 12, 2008 at 9:51 am
War is the worst thing that can happen to a country, my parents were children at War World Two in Italy, with the advantage that they lived in little towns were there were farmers, so even if they had passed famine, it was no so hard for them as it was for the people in big cities, on the other hand, my mother still tell me stories of kids playing with granades and mines as if they were balls.
Hard times the war ones, that live deep marks on people and their descendants, because the trauma of the parents are transferred to the sons and daughters.
Maybe what happened in this story was for the best, even if it was sad.
My claps for your amazing and touching essay.
Hugs and kisses.
Sunflower Ranch
On May 19, 2009 at 7:51 pm
A beautiful but heartbreaking story of your father as a very small child. It’s very moving. But they survived! Thank God for that and for your family’s bravery in the face of such a wrenching decision to ship him off to the country. It’s a terrible decision to make to break up the family so that they all might live. Bless you for sharing this!!
louie jerome
On September 3, 2009 at 7:57 am
Excellent article as usual Glynis.
Fegger
On September 3, 2009 at 8:40 am
So many of us rely on writers, like you, to extend the intimacy of war and conflict. Too often we forget that those who are actively engaged in such endeavors suffer, as their families do, in measures that project far beyond the battlefields. I truly appreciate you taking the time to draw such a sensitive, poignant illustration of such loss and hardship.
Glynis Smy
On September 3, 2009 at 8:45 am
Thank you for your generous comments. Dad’s Altzheimer’s has worsened and I feel I should make sure his story keeps on rolling, so we will never forget.
I cannot imagine sending away my children at the tender age of 6, I often threatened to, but I would never have been able to do what my gran did.
MMV Abad
On September 3, 2009 at 9:11 am
Nice story. Being separated from my kids are my worst fear. Its a good thing that your father had been lucky.
kate smedley
On September 3, 2009 at 9:30 am
That brought tears to my eyes Glynis, how poignant and touching, we don’t realise how lucky we are today.
kate smedley
On September 3, 2009 at 9:32 am
That brought tears to my eyes Glynis, how poignant and touching, we don\’t realise how lucky we are today.
Lauren Axelrod
On September 3, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Wow Glynis, you never cease to surprise me.This aspect of history has always haunted me when I saw the children being ripped from their parent clutches, on their way to a camp or somewhere even worse.
Jackie Stroud Painter
On September 4, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Nice job. Glad that you shared that with us.
Joshua Miguel
On September 4, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Very touching post. i hope history will not repeat itself, i will be very painful if this will happen again. tnx for the share.
CaSundara
On September 21, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Yes, it was very touching. I’ll show this to my son as he’s studying WWII right now. It’s good to understand the feelings of those involved, rather than just the historical facts.
I wonder whether it’s easier for mother or child? I’m only thinking that because children seem to be very adaptable (at the time, at least) and time passes quickly for them. Adults think more and understand the situation so much better. I can’t imagine not seeing my own children for any length of time. It must have been awful for both… thanks for sharing.
Glynis Smy
On September 22, 2009 at 9:57 am
Thank You for all commenting. Dad is in latter stages of Altzheimer’s and talks about this as if he is a child again. I think it is traumatic at first but they adapt. My Nan had two breakdowns in her life, and I am sure this contributed to her mental health. I think as Dad got older it affected him more too.