Kintbury wartime evacuee shares story in new memoir

There is never a dull moment when sifting through old family belongings, unaware of what treasures hide within the clutter.

Such proved to be the case for Newbury resident Sarah Roberts when she was sorting through her late mother's possessions.

While doing so she came across a book she had written — a memoir of her time as a wartime evacuee.

The book is a revelation," she said. "My mum's story perfectly captures the time, the people and their experiences during the war."

With her hometown of Portsmouth under constant attack from the Luftwaffe, Joyce Warne — who wrote as Jussie E Lilliot — was evacuated to Hungerford, and then to Kintbury.

Her mother was always keen to share stories of her childhood in Kintbury.

"As a child, mum would tell me stories about her own childhood and she would often point out the cottage where she lived as an evacuee with other family members."

It has been a long journey for the book.

"Through grief and sadness of losing such a wonderful mother and friend, it took me 17 years to pick up the book and read it," she added. "I have found it truly inspirational."

Kennet Radio presenter, Christine Rowley, added: "It's an amazing story, a great book to take us all down back to earth. It will make you laugh, cry and seriously think."

That Summer was recently published by Newbury-based publishers, Viking Bay.

Please visit www.vikingbay.co.uk to pick up your copy today.