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An
Introduction to A Fascinating Historical Document Those
site visitors who read Genia
Futers evocative memories of
being evacuated to Crook when war broke out in September 1939 may
recall my reference to a school magazine that was produced by the
evacuees in the summer of 1940. Genia's
sister, Mary, has very kindly loaned me the magazine, of which she was
one of the four editors, and I have copied it out in full.
It's an intriguing
document and sheds a lot of light on what life was like in those far off
days. As the ravages of
time have made scanning the original document impractical, I have copied
the text without alteration. It
says much for the quality of their schooling and the thoroughness of the
Editors that the spell/grammar check was never called into use. One
thing that I found so beautiful about the book was how refreshingly
simple life was for them, even though they could have been killed at any
time. Mary Futers, now Mary
Denyer and living in Lincolnshire, has written a few words about the
background to the magazine, VAC'S
RAG, which we will be printing in weekly instalments. "I've
had the magazine for nearly 65 years and, as you can see, Lance, it is
quite fragile. It was very
much a wartime effort. The
four of us were in the Commercial form and had finished our exams.
The photos were taken at our tennis evenings (see
historical photos 1940 - ed.)
and include Alice, Ruby, Audrey and myself.
We each wrote a poem and shared out the other features; I can no
longer remember who wrote what. The
jokes (?) and adverts were joint affairs.
It was good fun. We
kept it a secret from the rest of the school (who were still doing
lessons). We used Indian Ink and some kind of gel on a tray and printed
about 12 copies for Staff and 4 for we girls. I hope you and whoever reads it finds it
interesting." Mary Denyer (nee Futers) December 2004. Mary
wrote those words this month, what follows was written by, Alice Cassie,
Mary Futers, Audrey Rodgers and Ruby Humphreys, (seen below) in July
1940.
Alice Mary Audrey Ruby ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JCS
4c VAC's
RAG Written by Alice Cassie,
Audrey Rodgers, Mary Futers, Ruby Humphreys. ---------------------- Dedications Vac's
Rag is in memory of angelic 4c, Of
Alice the Blonde and Roaming Audrey, Of
Mary the Studious and Precious Ruby, Always
so willing to work like a bee. Oh
teachers, you liked us, and we liked you too, So
this dedication is really quite true, And
when we are gone and your thoughts are so blue, Just
think of the form that still thinks of you.. Form
4c ----------------- - OUR ARRIVAL
IN CROOK -
On Sunday September 3rd, 1939, war was declared between this
country and Germany. On 10th
September, a week later, the arrangements were completed for our
evacuation from Jarrow to Crook.
At 2.40 p.m. we were at Jarrow Railway Station waiting for
the train. At last it came
and we were packed in, some laughing, some weeping.
Amidst many goodbyes and good wishes the train steamed out of the
station. At last we were on
our way!
In each carriage there were ten children and a teacher or
other person in authority. When
we were half way on our journey we ate our sandwiches which we had been
told to bring.
About 4.15 p.m. we arrived at our destination.
It was raining and it was coming through the roof of the station
which was in need of repair. When
we were all ready with our luggage, we set off down Hope Street. The streets were lined with people, standing four deep to see
us walking down to the schools. We
felt like a travelling circus and did not know where to look.
At last we reached the schools and were taken to the annexe.
Then we went over to the girls school in groups and had some tea.
We were also given a carrier bag in which there were a tin of
corned beef, a tin of milk, some biscuits and two bars of chocolate.
Now the next job was to get our billets.
The Crook teachers found suitable ones for us and, after
particulars were noted, we were taken to them.
We found the people very kind and considerate and, after a
nights rest, we were feeling more at home. |
