Longton 1939

My name is Dorothy Hall and as an evacuee my sister, Betty Cunningham and I were billeted with a Mrs Caunce, her husband Richard had died before our arrival. We visited his grave every Sunday after the church service at St. Andrews. I think he may have had something to do with Althorpe Farm which was opposite Rose Cottage. This cottage we lived in for five years until returning to Manchester. We always called her 'aunty' and did not know her christian name. Having lost our own mother the year before she was the most beautiful substitute and we both adored her. My father, having been badly injured in the first world war was once again injured in the second, we went to see him in the military hospital when we returned to Manchester. We went to council school whilst in Longton. We went one week mornings and one week afternoons. Our teachers must have been exemplary as on my return to Manchester I passed my eleven plus with flying colours and was awarded a book for being top of my class. I remember playing with Dr Meering's daughter and Jacky Thatcher. I also remember visiting a Miss Blackett who lived in The Manor House. Sadly, we had to return to Manchester to live with an older sister and were not given the opportunity to keep in touch with her which has always saddened me. I believe she moved to Birmingham to look after her sister's children as her sister had terminal cancer. She did not have children of her own. I am hoping that somebody may have some old photographs or know of the whereabouts of her grave. I am now 91 and think of her always. Please email any info or photos to info@longtononline.co.uk Dorothy Hall