Muriel Tytheridge

Recollections of evacuation from Woolwich to Wrotham.

When war broke out in September 1939, Muriel Tytheridge was ten years old. She lived with her parents, two brothers and two sisters in Woolwich. As it was an industrial area and was subjected to heavy bombing raids, Muriel was evacuated with her older sister and her younger brother. Her oldest brother joined the Royal Navy and her youngest sister was too young to leave home. She and her siblings travelled with other children from their school, and they were excited as they had never been on holiday before. Initially it was not apparent that they would be evacuated for a long period of time.

A stay with Lord and Lady Stotford

Muriel and her siblings arrived at Wrotham Village and were placed with Lord and Lady Stotford, who had a large house and who volunteered to take six children and a teacher. This meant that Muriel was not separated from her brother and sister. They were assigned rooms in the servants’ quarters, as many were serving in the war.  The children were invited into the drawing room every evening in order to listen to the news, and they were able to explore the extensive grounds.

However this was to be short lived - Muriel’s brother was very homesick and returned to Woolwich. Lord Stotford also became ill and so Muriel and her sister were found another billet, where they slept on a mattress in the cupboard under the stairs in order to be better protected from the German aircraft passing overhead. Initially they attended classes at the local school until an alternative building was found for those who were evacuees.

Life at Yaldham Manor

Muriel’s sister returned to Woolwich after her fourteenth birthday in order to undertake war work. Therefore Muriel was sent to another billet, as the sisters who she was placed with did not want her to feel isolated. She was sent to Yaldham Manor, where Mr and Mrs Cory had accepted sixteen evacuees. Despite numerous servants having been called up, many were still employed at the Manor. The children were given jobs on a weekly basis, assisting the staff in their household duties. They were also given 6 pence each a week. When Muriel was admitted to hospital with tonsillitis, she felt very lonely as her parents could not visit her, although others treated her with great kindness. Mr and Mrs Cory ensured that all of the children in their care were well dressed and they each received Christmas presents.

Home again

When Muriel was fourteen she returned to Woolwich and undertook training in Lewisham, at Pittman’s College. The frequent air raids made it difficult to sleep and the family spent many nights in the air raid shelter. She looks back at the time she spent as an evacuee fondly, and remembers the kindness of those who took her into their homes during the war years.

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Muriel Tytheridge (42k)
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Outbreak of war (54k)
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From Woolwich to Wrotham (56k)
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The second billet (56k)
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Yaldham Manor (57k)
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