Via email 257/06/08

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

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