Hi, My name is Betty Thomas (nee Woodgate) Thank you
Gerry for your warm welcome. Yes. I was an evacuee from
Marvels Lane Elementary School; Grove Park S.E.
London.
The first so-called "safe" place that I can remember
was at Folkestone. I along with my sister Barbara
Woodgate was billeted at the (I think it was called)
Victoria Hotel. I think there were a few more evacuees
there as well, but I can't remember how many. The only
name I can remember was a lad called Robert Mainwaring or
Bobby Bingo as we called him.
Shortly after, Barbara and I were billeted along with
four others to a Dr. Ernest Claxton, his wife Muriel and
children Wendy, Nigel and Joy. The other evacuees were
Betty and Kenny Gaine, Betty Horne, and a small girl
whose name I can't recall. I do have a photo of us
six.
My sister Barbara returned to London as she became of
age to leave school. I was then reunited with my 2nd
sister Pamela Woodgate who had been attending The Roan
School for Girls at Greenwich and was evacuated with them
to Bexhill-on-Sea. I joined her at her temporary home
with a Mrs. Sigston and her four children. I can't
remember any of their names, but have a photo.
From there we went to a Welsh village called Ammanford
in South Wales. There, Pam and I were billeted with a Mr.
and Mrs. Willliams and their two adult daughters; we
weren't happy there at all with a few miserable memories.
I was then taken to the home of a local stone mason, who
also happened to be the billeting officer and have very
happy memories of my stay with him (Mr. Tom Davies) his
wife and daughter Meriel. They also had a Welsh Corgi
called Shaun who gave me a lot of love and comfort. I
can't remember the name of the family who took my sister
in, but I think she was happy. One particular friend I
had there was a Gwen Matthews who I think came from St.
John's Wood in London. We made friends with two local
lads one was Hugo Bailey and the other Winston
Morris.
Kind regards Betty Thomas. (Mrs.)
