Evacuees of World War II (One family's story)
First of a three part true story of my sisters, who like so many others, were evacuated from London at the beginning of World II. Being the sole survivor of a family of seven children, I wrote this musical play as a legacy to my siblings.
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Evacuees of World War II (One family's story)
Evacuees - Episode 3 A Turn Of Events
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Wally Gletherow is alone in London, carrying out his duties as Air Raid Warden, and missing his family.
The family have to leave the "Big House" and have to endure hardship before being "rescued".
The homecoming.
"Running Out Of Life" - vocals Ron Gletherow
"Scruffy Kids" - vocals - Billy Gregory and children's ensemble
"Dear Mum and Dad (Reprise" - vocals Karina Redmond
"How Dare You" - vocals Amy Caldwell
"Good To Be Home" - vocals Ron Gletherow & Amy Caldwell
"Are You Looking For A Friend" - vocals Karina Redmond & Braiden Sunshine
It was hard being the one left behind, and I missed Mum and the Kids intensely. But I knew there was work to do back home, not only in providing a living for the family, but also in a far more challenging role for the community. When I got to missing Mum and the kids, I'd look around at all the death and destruction and tell myself I was lucky that they were far away and safe. I'd enrolled as an air aid warden. It was a daunting challenge that sometimes appeared overwhelming, but there's a sense of camaraderie among those of us who took on the task. When we heard the sirens, it was a signal for most people to take shelter. But for us, it was time to get our gear together and go outside and be ready for action. We weren't what you might call heroes, we were just ordinary men in extraordinary times. It's surprising what we're all capable of when we're put to the test. When the silence faded, the sound of the bombing grew louder, and we all knew we had another long night ahead of us. We never knew how many houses would be hit. Sometimes we got lucky and the bombs hardly touched any buildings. Other times we were digging poor souls out all night long. It got to you after a while, but hard times make fast friends, and we depended upon one another for courage and strength. More often than I'd ever admit to mum.
SPEAKER_16This place has lost its soul, and now it's running out of life. I can see it in the face of every stranger that I meet. In every place I go.
SPEAKER_06The staff there were very kind to us, and we got to know our way around the parts of the house that we were allowed in. The lawns were always fun to play on, and the gardens were beautiful. School days were not so much fun. The local children from the village didn't like us at all, and I think they resented us being there. They used to call us lousy Londoners and poke fun at our rough accents.
SPEAKER_05That would be them lot over there. I think the smell stayed with them when they travelled up from London.
SPEAKER_06Just ignore them. The teacher will be here in a minute and they're quiet and down.
SPEAKER_05Oh bloody shut them up. I think it's their clothes they're wearing. It looks like they're wearing an outlet of curtains. Probably something they dragged out the bins. Right, I'm going out there, sort them out. Sit down, Gila. You do no such thing. Be quiet, both of you.
SPEAKER_06If there's any sorting to be done, I'll do it. But we don't want any trouble. Teacher will be here soon.
SPEAKER_05What's going on in here? I could hear that noise right down the corridor. Now continue reading from a chapter we were working on yesterday.
SPEAKER_14Up on and nothing that's up. Take it over all our coats of them breaking on the road. That's it, that's it, smelly clothes. All they got is no one knows. Turning off one bottle training off the ground game. Oh with the knock it its day. Londonists dirty rotten stubbornets. Bowsy Londonists they go back where they come from.
SPEAKER_06Most of the time we learned to ignore it all. But once, on our way home from school, it all got a bit too much for me. And I remember getting into a fight with a girl named Monica. Well, it was more of a rough and tumble than a fight, I suppose. Nothing that serious. As a matter of fact, Monica and I became good friends after that. We'd been at the big house for a year when the news came that Sir A. Bailey had died. We'd never actually even met him. It was common knowledge that he was our benefactor. Soon afterwards, Lady Bailey decided to sell the property. Meaning our time at Bletchenden Park was coming to an end. All of us had to seek new billets in the village, and we were put with Mrs. Timothy, who was not very nice to us at all, to say the least. She reminded us every day that we were a burden and she was only taking care of us because it was her duty, as she called him. She didn't try at all to make us feel loved. She especially treated little Sheila very harshly. And so we became very unhappy. She wanted us there, I know, because the government paid her for our key. I don't think she spent all that money on us.
SPEAKER_13Come on, hurry up and finish your toast. You've all got to be up early for school tomorrow. For goodness sake, now look what you've done. You spilt tea all over your toast now. Why'd you have to be so clumsy, Sheila? I'm sorry, Mrs. Timothy. I was just reaching for another piece of toast when I She couldn't help it.
SPEAKER_06I think I distracted her.
SPEAKER_13You mind your own business, Violet. It's got nothing to do with you. Right, Sheila. You can just go ahead and eat it now. But there's tea all over her toast. She can't eat it now. Was I talking to you? I told you. Now, Sheila, eat it. But it's all soggy now and it tastes funny. I can't. I won't tell you again. Now eat it. I'm sorry. And you can stop all that noise, or I'll come over there and give you something to cry for.
SPEAKER_06I felt that something needed to be done. I had to somehow get word to Mum to help us. I knew that Mum was now living in New Marston in Oxford, but that's all. Nevertheless, I decided to send a letter.
SPEAKER_04It's not nice here with Mrs. Timothy. I really think she doesn't like us here with her. She says I'm not sure. She makes us feel so small. I promise that we will be hate and not make any sweetness. I love my soul, she's not she know she tends to talk back sometimes, but it's only because she's sad. She has not for all of us. It's not because she's bad. I'm sorry that I have to write at my juna.
SPEAKER_12I couldn't believe it when I received the letter from Vi. The fact alone it was addressed to Mrs. Gleverot, care of Mrs. Harris, New Maston Oxford. That was a mystery as to how it got delivered. My amazement reached another level when I stopped to think about how grown up my daughter had become and how she'd taken charge of the situation. The actual content of the letter stopped me in my tracks. I knew Vi well enough to know that she wouldn't contact me unless things were pretty bad. She liked to think she was more capable of handling things herself. My immediate instinct was to set out for Bletchingdon Village and scoop 'em up in my arms. But what then? Where could I take them? I knew there was no extra room with Mrs. Harris. She was kind enough to take me in with little Georgie and baby John, but her house was just a small house, and she had four children of her own with her husband away at war. What does that mean? Don't look yourself. Is it anything to do with that letter? The kids are being mystery. Apparently, she even is a shadow. I know how much independent. We're gonna get them and bring them here. Yeah, but how can we? We're overcrowded here as it is. You let me worry about that. Now get your coat. We've got a bus to catch. We shouldn't get this sorted out. Yes, can I help you? This is Timothy. My name is A. And I've come to collect my children. What?
SPEAKER_13I don't know what you mean. These children have been billeting to me. Never mind about any of that. Where are the kids? Well, actually, they're just finishing their team. I still don't know what you're talking about.
SPEAKER_12My children are coming with me. Well, you can't have them. They've been billeting to me. Excuse me? What do you mean I can't have them? They're my kids. Well, you'll just have to take that out with the billeting officer. Never mind the billeting officer. How about I take it out with a local constable? Wait till you read. I'll go and get the case.
SPEAKER_13Wait, now look, I don't want any trouble.
SPEAKER_12I've already tried to help that so the money you were allocated, you mean? Look, just go and get my kids and then we'll be on our way.
SPEAKER_13Well, there's no need for any of that attitude. Wait here, and I'll go tell the children to get their things.
SPEAKER_12Don't worry. I just can't believe that this woman telling me I can't have my own keys in her bloody shape. Thank you so much for coming with me, Gertie. Oh, you're more than welcome, my dear. I'm just so glad that we got it all sorted out. We left with the children and took the bus back to Newmartsden. We were really overcrowded, but we managed. We all lived at Mrs. Harris's house during the day, and then the children had a short walk each night, and they slept at a local farmer's house. There just weren't enough room for us all to sleep there. I'd found a friend for life in Mrs. Harris, and as she took me in when I came to Oxford, I won't forget. Come and stay with me, she said, when we met in the village post office, adding I'll be eternally grateful to Mrs. Aries for what she did for us. The Iris and the Glever families have forgotten a permanent bond.
SPEAKER_02You were supposed to be making an undertaking. Now you tell me you were only making smart. All the long Well it seems all the time that you didn't really care. Now back you think you don't see the fables that's wrong. So wrong. You said you're trying to help me. I don't believe what you tell me. Say the children are not about to leave your home. Well, how dare you? You might think that you have a lot of rules to give, but you don't know who you're really dealing with. Let me tell you.
SPEAKER_08And we actually had a back garden for the first time. I'd always wanted a garden my own. I don't know how I held back the tears when I met them at the station on their return. It was quite an emotional reunion to say the least. The war wasn't over yet, not by a long way. But the worst of the bombing was over, for now at least. We learned over time that the war had many eras. But for now at least, we were all together again. And it was indeed the beginning of a new era for us all.
SPEAKER_01I don't ever want to go away again.
SPEAKER_08Don't worry, Eid. We're all safe now, and God willing, we won't have to leave our home again unless we want to.
SPEAKER_12You've got every reason to be proud of our girls, well. Vi took such good care of her sisters. Edie never complained, and Shaley was such a brave little girl.
SPEAKER_08I'm already very proud of them. And you too. I've kept all your letters and I've treasured everyone. But I'll bet there's many more stories you've got for me. I want to hear every one of them.
SPEAKER_05Do you have any stories, Dad? I bet it was exciting, eh?
SPEAKER_08I do. Some for when you're a little bit older, but many are for right now. London's been through a terrible time. But hopefully that's all behind us now.
SPEAKER_12I's got a good story about some bullies they ran into at school. But the worst bully, I think, was a certain Mrs. Timothy that I'll tell you all about.
SPEAKER_06I did my best, and I took care of the children at school, Dad. But you should have heard Mum stand up to Mrs. Timothy when she came to get us.
SPEAKER_16We've cast off our shackles and taken control again.
SPEAKER_12Right you lot, come on. It's bath night tonight. Let's get you all scrubbed up and ready for school tomorrow. Oh mum, can't we just stay a bit longer?
SPEAKER_08Come on, you heard your mother. Well, maybe just a little bit longer, I eat.
SPEAKER_03Good to be mad back in the neighborhood. It never felt so good, so good to be so good to be home.
SPEAKER_06We loved our new home in Holborn Road. The blitz was over. Well, for the most part. For now, anyway. Later in 1944, Dad built an Anderson shelter in the backyard when the Germans started launching the V-1 rockets, or doodle bugs as we called them. I remember one came down and hit Newport Avenue and part of Jenkins Road, just two streets over from us. But the worst was over and the war would end soon. Better times were on their way.
SPEAKER_08But this is not quite where our story ends. It was now 1945 and things were getting back to normal. We'd celebrated VE Day in May. I'd been working at a bakery called Workers Supply run by the local Labour Party in Hermit Road, Canny Town. In fact, I'd worked my way up from delivery man to manager. We had horses there for delivery carts and I'd taken on a young lad, Bill, to help out. Bill was a nice boy who'd been through a rough time. He was used to working with horses as he'd been evacuated to a farm in Somerset. He was also a keen worker, and I kind of took him under my wing, as it were. I noticed that my eldest, Vi, had taken to coming round to the bakery a lot to help me out, as she put it. Vi and I did a lot together, so it wasn't all that unusual, and it was lovely to have her around, but I soon guessed it wasn't me she was coming to see. This particular day Bill was at the back slicing bread on the machine when Vi went out to see the horses.
SPEAKER_07Oh, hello. I just came out to check on the horses. I'm here helping my dad.
SPEAKER_10You mean Wally?
SPEAKER_07Is it your dad? That's right. So you must be Dad's new helper.
SPEAKER_10That's right. My name's Bill. Pleased to meet you.
SPEAKER_07Pleased to meet you too. I'm sure we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other, as I'm often here. You know, to help my dad.
SPEAKER_10I'm sure we will. I'll look forward to that. It'd be nice to have a bit of company while we are out back.
SPEAKER_09It's nice out here, isn't it? Seeing the horses remind me a little of the countryside when I was evacuated to Oxford.
SPEAKER_10I love the horses. I spent a lot of time in horses when I was evacuated too.
SPEAKER_13Where were you evacuated?
SPEAKER_10So I said, It was beautiful there. So different from the big city. I learned all about horses whilst I was there.
SPEAKER_09I love the horses too. Asia, especially is like a gentle giant. I so loving. Billy, the smaller fighting one, tends to get a bit jealous of her getting most of the attention.
SPEAKER_08I guess I had no idea why I'd started. After that, Bill would come round to the house quite often for tea. Sometimes Vi and I would go to see the wrestling at West Ham Bars in Bromford Road, and when we did, Bill would come with us. I could see that Vi and Bill were getting very close, and I have to admit, it was a bit worrying at first because they were both so young. But then I'd also come to know Bill very well myself. He was a smashing lad, almost like another son to me. I was happy with the situation as it stood, with them just being friends for now.
SPEAKER_04The last time I stopped by.
SPEAKER_08Recover, we did, and we moved on. As did so many other families. Regarding our particular family, it didn't take too long for us to return to some kind of sense of normality. Whatever that is. Despite that, though, we parents would remember the trauma of our children being taken away, and that would stay with us forever. As for the many thousands of children involved, for them, this would also remain a part of their childhood that they'd never forget.
SPEAKER_11But I've met one of you children who were not together. You know, one of those female families that never seemed to work.
SPEAKER_00Always struggling for money that happens. He was born in 1951. He was lucky that he'd missed out on those wartime struggles, born into a world of modern inventions and rock and roll. He's heavily into music and a bit strange, but we all loved him. Sadly, Dad died suddenly from a heart attack just 16 months after Rom was born. Just when things were starting to get easier.