"Dunkirk - we were evacuated too"

In May/June 1940 in Folkestone we knew that our troops were coming back from France. Many were brought into Folkestone harbour and then transferred to trains, which passed close to where I lived.

I spent several days watching to see whether my father who had been called up on 1st September 1939 and sent to France was one of them. He wasn’t.

A few days later families were told that all children were to be evacuated. Take them to Radnor Park (close to the rail station) with one small case for belongings, say good bye to them there, you will not be allowed on the station, were the curt instructions. I will never forget my mother’s anguish.
“ I don’t know whether my husband is alive or dead and now they are going to take my children from me” My father did survive and then was sent to Burma . I saw him 19 days in five and half years and not at all for the last four.

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