Should We Evacuate? Gordon and Len

SHOULD WE EVACUATE?

The States people came round, twice a day to speak to people, but they had differing opinions, some said, “Stay,” and some said “Send the wives and children for safety’s sake.” It was entirely optional; it was your choice. They didn’t send anybody away against their wishes.

Gordon Hotton and his sister were at St Saviours School. They were going to be evacuated but the family changed their mind, so everyone stayed. He remembers sitting for a long time at St Saviours School in his blue gabardine ‘mac’ with his gasmask round his neck. They lived at Les Croutes, by Le Gron, at the time.

Len Le Ray’s earliest memory was of standing at home, ‘Cliffdale’ which was near Torteval church, with his gas mask round his neck, waiting to go down to the school. He had said goodbye to his father, who was not going, but he never made it to the boat. It didn’t turn up on time, so at the end of the day his father decided they would all stay.
GORDON HOTTON and LEN LE RAY

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