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Muriel Tytheridge

Recollections of evacuation from Woolwich to Wrotham.

Outbreak of war

Muriel Tytheridge recalls the outbreak of war

http://www.memoriesofwar.org.uk/multimedia/Muriel1.mp3

From Woolwich to Wrotham

Muriel Tytheridge talks about being evacuated to Wrotham

http://www.memoriesofwar.org.uk/multimedia/Muriel2.mp3

The second billet

Muriel Tytheridge recollects her second billet with two maiden ladies

http://www.memoriesofwar.org.uk/multimedia/Muriel3.mp3

Yaldham Manor

Muriel Tytheridge talks about her time at Yaldham Manor

http://www.memoriesofwar.org.uk/multimedia/Muriel4.mp3

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.

Photo:Muriel Tytheridge
Photo:Muriel's first billet was with Lord and Lady Stotford. Muriel is pictured on the middle row (far left). Also in the picture are Lord and Lady Stotford, Muriel's parents (visiting) and siblings. Muriel's teacher and her two children (visiting for the day) are also pictured.
Photo:Pictured in Muriel's second billet. Muriel and her sister were living with two spinster ladies in the upstairs room.
Photo:When her sister reached 14 and had to return home Muriel moved to Yaldham Manor.
Photo:All the 16 children at Yaldham Manor were dressed the same on school days.
Photo:The children at Yaldham Manor dressed in their Sunday best. Also in the picture is Muriel's sister who was visiting.
Downloads

Muriel Tytheridge
Muriel Tytheridge (42k)
To read more about Muriel's wartime experiences in her own words please press the above link.

Outbreak of war
Outbreak of war (54k)
To read the transcript of the audio clip please press the above link.

From Woolwich to Wrotham
From Woolwich to Wrotham (56k)
To read the transcript of the audio clip please press the above link.

The second billet
The second billet (56k)
To read the transcript of the audio clip please press the above link.

Yaldham Manor
Yaldham Manor (57k)
To read the transcript of the audio clip please press the above link.

This gallery was added by Malin Lundin on 15/01/2012.
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More about...
Contributors
  • Recollections of service in the Royal Pioneer Corps and life on the Home Front in Brixton.
  • Recollections of the Blitz and life on the Home Front.
  • Recollections of wartime service on a minesweeper
  • Recollections of evacuation from Woolwich to Wrotham.
  • Recollections of the London Blitz.
  • Recollections of growing up in wartime Leeds.
  • Recollections of a very lucky escape.
 
 
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  • Recollections of Evacuation
 
 
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