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Audrey Brockman (nee Watson) and her twin brother Sam were evacuated from Croydon on 13th June, 1940. They travelled by coach and train with other children from their Infants School to Bideford, North Devon. After the lengthy journey they arrived at their destination and were billeted with a local couple, Mr and Mrs Hill. Audrey and Sam stayed with the couple for five years. Whilst Mr Hill was very kind to them, and took them to visit his ARP depot, Mrs Hill suffered from ill health and was very strict.
Although Audrey’s father was killed in action in September 1943, the twins were not made aware of it until January the following year. But it was only when she returned to Croydon in 1945, that she felt the full impact of the loss of her father.
Audrey has many recollections of the time which she spent at Bideford. She recalls the American troops in Bideford during the latter part of the war – on one occasion she made them all tea and they filled the empty jug with their loose change. One year the twins picked such a large number of blackberries and apples that Mrs Hill was able to make numerous batches of jam to supplement the restrictions of rationing.
'I have found such a relief that I am not the only one to feel as I do, that all of us to a greater or lesser extent were affected for life by our experiences.'
Although the war ended in May 1945 Audrey and Sam did not return to Croydon until 26th June 1945. Back in Croydon the twins took part in the street parties held to mark the surrender of the Japanese forces. Audrey recalls feeling very frightened after returning home. The effects of war were clear to see in the area. Family life had also dramatically changed. Her father had been lost at war and Audrey’s mother was required to take on fulltime work to support the family.
The war made a deep imprint on Audrey’s life.
‘Since joining the E.R.A [Evacuees Reunion Association] I have found such a relief that I am not the only one to feel as I do, that all of us to a greater or lesser extent were affected for life by our experiences. It is good to talk about it now, to bring out into the open thoughts and emotions that have remained hidden for nearly 50 years’.
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