Via Email 113/01/09

Hi i went to Barkingside around 1948 or 1949. I would have been 12 or 13. my name at the time was Margaret Anne Williams known as (Peggy) now 72 years. I would love to be in contacted with anyone who went there and if anyone can remember me. faithfully Peggy.

Via Email 13/02/09

Could anyone please help. My mother stayed at the Dr Barnardo's village at barkingside at aprox 1945/46 and was there for five years aprox. She lived with a lady called Enid Townsend (Mum Townsend). And is desperate to find out what happened to this lady who she has the most wonderful memories of her. And also she wants to get in touch with anyone who was there at this time or who was in the same house with her. My mothers name is Gwendaline Ridlington, but at that time she was called Gwendaline Harley also known as Gwenney by her friends.

Any help would be appreciated. On the behalf of my mother

Adrian Ridlington

Via email 11/01/09

Hi I went to Barkingside around 1948 or 1949. I would have been 12 or 13. my name at the time was Margaret Anne Williams known as (Peggy) now 72 years. I would love to be in contacted with anyone who went there and if anyone can remember me.

Faithfully Peggy.

Via email 25/06/08

Towards the end of 1944 I with my brother were attending the nursery at Barkingside, as our parents were working. The nursery was near the hospital. Although I was only four at the time, I can remember the wounded and being allowed to talk to them. I also remember, vividly, the V1 which hit the village burying us, nurses and children, in the shelter. I hope this helps you with your history of the Barkingside village.

George Waterman

Via email 23/05/07

During the war we lived at 92,Werneth Hall Rd Ilford and as a child I was sent to Barkingside one day to get some groceries for my Mother. After I had everything bagged up at the counter ready to take home, I couldn't find the £1 note she had given me. I had no idea what to do, Father was abroad with the Army and money was very short in those days. I wandered around until late afternoon sobbing my heart out and afraid to go home. I finally walked into Barnardo's and asked if they would keep me there. A lovely lady chatted to me for a long time and finally persuaded me that the world would not come to an end, and walked me home. I am nearly 72 years of age now and can still picture that lady now. Anyway when we got home my distraught Mother hugged me to death and the irony of it all is that I had left the £1 note on the table, hadn't lost it at all.

Just thought you may like this little story, I support Barnardo's to this day and will never forget the kindness they showed me all those years ago.

Regards, John Dobson. (Penzance, Cornwall).

An edited version was printed in The Barnardo Guild Messenger Winter 207 issue 334 Letter page

All information and photographs held within this web site are © copyright  and should not be copied or shared without express permission.

Please note this web site does not in any way speak for Barnardo's. Its purpose is purely for research and historical interest.