Geoffrey Iley - A Schoolboys Wartime Letters: An Evacuees Life in WWII — A Personal Memoir

Photographs are from the authors album with the following exceptions:

Pictures numbered 5, 7 and 8 by kind permission of G.F. Wilson.

Picture number 6 by kind permission of Oakham School Foundation.

Its a Saturday, the second of September 1939 and Dad says I should remember this date because its very important. He looked very serious when he told me hes almost certain well be at war with Germany in a day or two and lots of boys and girls too, I suppose are going to be evacuated. That means leaving home and going to the country. Before the end of the month Ill be eleven, so going on this bus its an Albion single-decker to Denstone College will be an adventure, almost like going to a proper boarding school. Perhaps itll be like Greyfriars School with Billy Bunter and Harry Wharton in The Magnet stories. And I can start my letters home with Dear Mater and Pater. What a lark!

I think its going to be exciting. Mum and Dad had big arguments about sending me away, but if Birmingham is going to be bombed by the Germans, then perhaps its a good idea. Anyway, its not going to be the first time Ive been away from home. Ive gone away lots, actually. Ive stayed with Auntie Betty and Uncle Stan loads of times and on the farm with their friends the Gleaves too and with Dads friend from work at the Bank, Uncle Eddie and his family. Thats Auntie Linda and their daughters Paula, whos a bit older than me and Mariane whos a bit younger.

Actually, Im a bit sorry to be missing out on the bombing I would probably be able to find bits of shrapnel for my collection. Its in my top drawer and Mum keeps complaining that its untidy. In fact, it might be hard to find anything interesting, because Jerry wouldnt drop bombs near our house not on purpose. Its just beside Highbury park, so it wouldnt be a target but its not so very far from Cadburys and the Austin, so there just might be a stray bomb somewhere close. Anyway, here I am, sitting about halfway down the bus with my gas mask in this stupid cardboard box on my lap. Its annoying because its sharp corners bang against my bare knees every time the bus hits a bump. I dont think there are more than two or three boys from my own school in Moseley, Woodroughs, coming along. Dad told me that Im actually joining this other school from Edgbaston. Its The Edgbaston Preparatory School, or E.P.S., but they usually just call it Hallfield. They all seem friendly and their red and green caps are much better than mine. The Woodroughs cap is just a boring dull green all over.

Mum blubbed a bit when we said goodbye and I got on the bus at Hallfield. but loads of other mums did too, so I didnt feel too ashamed. Dad helped put my trunk on the roof, along with lots of others; Mine has a big yellow label with my name, Geoffrey Iley, written on it in large letters. More trunks, cases and boxes of bedding and stuff are in a lorry its a Morris Commercial, I think and Mr. Rigby, the headmaster, said it would be following the bus. His own car, a Wolseley, is going to lead the way and another master, Mr. Fisher, will be at the back in his Austin.

The ride out of Birmingham was quite boring. just lots of houses, then some open country with cows and farms. After a while we went through a town with a funny name, Uttoxeter. We went past a big works called J. C. Bamford with lots of new farm machinery and tractors. It looked really interesting. Perhaps I can make machines and stuff like that one day. At last we went through a small village and up a hill and there was Denstone College. Its really big, with lots of grass and playing fields, but we were taken round the side to some rather old buildings that will be where we sleep and there are some classrooms too. I have got a bed in a big dormitory, but we have to go to the main school to have meals in their enormous dining room. Anyway, its time for my first letter home just a short note, as theres loads to do and some exploring too.

Saturday 2/9/39

Dear Mater & Pater

We had a lovely journey and arrived quite safely at 12.45. We are having a lovely time and have a very well lighted dorm which is roomy and airy.

The boys and masters are very nice. I am writing this card in the common-room. outside it is pouring. No more news.

Your loving son

Geoffrey

Now thats done, I can unpack my stuff. When the rain finally stops Ill have a proper look round. This is going to be very interesting.

* * *

After two days Ive decided its not good here after all, not like Greyfriars a bit. Im really missing home for lots of reasons. For one thing there isnt any radio, so it came as a shock to hear that the war had actually started I only heard about it the next day, on the fourth of September. Theres nothing much to do here, either and I have had lots of tummyache. I think its the awful food. The huge dining hall is horrible too. Us Hallfield boys have two tables at one end of this enormous room and the Denstone boys dont really speak to us. I really miss Mums cooking. Honestly, I wish I was home again.

Tuesday 5/9/39

Dear Mater & Pater

Thank you very much for your letter. did you get my postcard? If you did put a chalk mark in your next letter, if not I will rub it off.

I am feeling terribly homesick and have tummy ache nearly every day because of the food. It is all undercooked.

I want to come home and will walk home* if a conveyance is not sent for me 5 days from now.

Your loving son,

Geoffrey

* and I mean that, Scouts honour I do.

That ought to do the trick, I think. But hang on a minute. Hello! Ive just realised its stopped raining and were going to be allowed to go for a walk and look around a bit.

* * *

Actually the walk was good yesterday, and we can go again if we get permission first. Theres some interesting exploring to be done around here and Ive discovered we have a library with some jolly interesting books Ive found some about radio and one about marine engines. Perhaps it wont be too bad here after all, especially now that some of the boys have started to get parcels from home with food. Perhaps well be allowed to have tuck boxes, just like Greyfriars.