Langham Village History Group
Patricia Patey (nee Hearn) writes:
My sister Margaret and I (aged four and seven) were evacuated to Langham on 1
st
September 1939 with
our school, Maynard Road School, South Walthamstow together with our head mistress, Miss Widdecombe
and teachers. My mother and baby brother, Bill, went to Kettering. My father, who had been in the
Auxiliary Air Force was called up and sent to an unknown destination the previous week.
Margaret and I stayed for a short while with Mr and Mrs Spencer, then we went to Mr and Mrs Lambert. My
mother came to visit and was unhappy that the family was split up. She told Miss Widdicombe of her plans
to return to London and the head mistress pleaded with her not to do so. Unbeknown to Mum she
approached Mrs Owen Smith who offered the family the living quarters of her grooms at the Old Hall
Stables - Mum accepted.
We were allowed to play in the orchard and have happy memories of all the lovely flowers, shrubs and
trees. We lived at Old Hall Stables until 1947 - due to the housing shortage in London. They were good
days in Langham.
Langham Village History Group ~ © 1996 - 2022
Evacuation to Langham
The Hearn Family - Old Hall Cottage Orchard - 1940
Mrs Hearn with Pat, Margaret & Bill
Outside Mrs Lambert’s Cottage - 1940
The Hearn Children in Fancy Dress
1 May 1942