Submitted by Peter Honour, Orpington u3a
I was born in Ilfracombe in 1941 - my Mum was evacuated from the bombs of London in mid 1940. We stayed there until about mid 1941 - and moved to the village of Polegate, 4 miles outside Eastbourne - "the suntrap of the south."
A bus stop in the 1950 c. Peter Honour
At first my parents rented a small bungalow - Dad worked as a Sales Manager (selling carbon paper and typewriter ribbons... remember those?!) near Borough Market at London Bridge so he could go there daily by train. Mum got a local job in a small factory office as a Secretary. My two recollections of that era - were
1. An official called at home and asked mother - "do you have any soldiers here?" she replied - "oh yes my husband has about 2000 - he collects model lead soldiers!" "No ma-am - real live soldiers. Well I'm billeting one here, for you" Next day a young Commando from Belgium came - and every day he left the house....nobody knew where to. One day he did not return - and my Dad brought home a newspaper " D Day Invasion of Normandy" So guess that's where he went. I remember him because he put me in his sleeping bag and tossed me in the air!
2. On V E Day there was a celebration in our local park - all the kids dressed up. I went as an Indian Rajah. Maybe prophetic because later on I travelled 20 times to India for my Charity work. My Junior school was at the top of the hill at Upper Willingdon. I remember my very good and kind teachers - Miss Nightingale (she loved to sing!) , Mr Bentall and Mr Morris. Every time we go into Eastbourne on the A22, I salute the old school as we pass by!
Our little home welcomed "all sorts". Three German students over three years - as a way to show "friendship and love" after the WW2. To dozens of local youngsters for Bible Class; Hobby Clubs; outings. To local students and nurses who came for a Bible study; to visitors from overseas - India, America, Africa....... often speaking to the youngsters in Bible Class or Club.