There are plenty of clues that tell of the evacuation of people from the cities to our part of North Pembrokeshire during the early days of the Second World War.
We know that our area welcomed young evacuees. They are smiling at us from old school photos
Dinas County Primary School. Early 1940s. Back row Alfie Clark. Middle row Frankie Hitchens.
and are remembered in places that they loved.
Nevern was unusual, however, in making provision for the elderly who had been rendered homeless by the blitz. I have already mentioned the ladies who were evacuated to Llwyngwair in 1940. As a result of Heather Hill’s research, we have discovered some fascinating information about the lives of some of them and I will be posting a short chapter, telling their stories, every day next week on this blog (from Sunday 13th to Saturday 19th September).
Next week marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It will be commemorated at Church Services around the country including at St Brynach’s Church, Nevern. On Battle of Britain Sunday, 20th September, the names of the Nevern evacuees will be read out during the church service, and their lives and suffering during the blitz remembered.
What a lovely way to commemorate those individuals, instead of en masse as public events will do. And I applaud that you highlight the elderly who were affected as well as the more photogenic youngsters who usually are sentimentally recalled as evacuees. Look forward to your next posts.