Singing in St Pauls

During the war the choir school of St Paul's Cathedral in London were evacuated and to fill the gap and to perform the choral services in the crypt of the Cathedral every Sunday, four country choirs were requested to attend and to sing in rotation.
I was a chorister at Reigate St Mary's parish church in Surrey and together with the other boys had the honour to perform this service every fourth weekend.
We left home and had to wear our Eton collars and choir ties, with our black suits and, of course short trousers. We could then easily change into our Cassocks and Surplices for the services.
We met on the Sunday morning at the choir school 'Sunnyside' opposite the church and were shepherded to Reigate station, there to board the Southern Electric train towards Redhill and then on to London Bridge station. Here we were taken to a cafe under one of the arches, making our way around the bomb damage, to have some sandwiches and a sof drink. Thus refreshed we had the walk to St Paul's Catherdral choir school building and I can still remember the devastation on either side of the road for about half a mile around the Cathedral.
It is only a short walk from the choir school to the crypt of the Cathedral with many wonders to see in the Cathedral as we went in.
The service lasted for about three quarters of an hour to an hour (I think). Not long enough to fidget anyway. We then crept out of the crypt by another route and I remember seeing Wellington's catafalque and other shadowy things.
I now understand that the Cathedral did sustain a direct hit from a Nazi bomb but that it did not go off - this must explain our torturous exit.
Back to the choir school to change back in to our 'civvies' and for tea and cakes.
We then walked to Blackfriars Underground station and caught the tube to Victoria and boarded our train back to Redhill and then finish up back at Reigat and then home.
As boys this was an adventure, the journey was full of train spotting and looking in awe at the bombed sites on the way in to London. Sometimes on the way home if we started our journey in the dark because of the blackout we had to have all the window blinds down so we could not see out then.
Thinking about it now my parents must have had 'nightmares' letting us travel in to and out of the capital at that time especially during air raids but I never remember them saying so to me or in my hearing.
As a choir, by way of thank you, we were invited to sing at the Cathedral for special occasions, I was lucky enough to be included in the VE celebration in the Cathedral in front of His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and all the other dignitaries at this service of thanksgiving. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the VJ celebrations.
We as a choir were honoured to sing at St Paul's again for the Messiah and St Matthew's Passion.
During the war I started my schooling at Lesborne Lands C of E Primary School in Effingham Road, Reigate under the Headmistress Miss Knight. I remember we had one evacuee but do not remember where from, her name was Faith Williams - I often wonder what happened to her??

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