Guernsey evacuee David (75) was sent to live in Burnside
Sep 9 2009
by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer
THIS week marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War.
Many children during this period were whisked away from their homes and evacuated to safer places.
This would be a hard time for any young people but particularly the children of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, who were suddenly told that they were to be moved to the UK.
Among the children who left the island was young David Pattimore, who was sent to live with foster parents in Burnside.
David, now 75, recalls leaving the island on his sixth birthday.
He said: “We left Guernsey on June 21, 1940, and I was born on the June 21, 1934, so we actually left on my sixth birthday. I asked my mum if I could take my birthday cards to show my teacher!
“I’d never been to the UK before, like a lot of the children here. We probably thought it was just like a holiday or an adventure.”
At first, David was sent to South Shawlands Church and before long Mr and Mrs Bennet of Burnside opted to look after young David and his brother Rex, who was nine years old at the time.
David added: “We got to Glasgow and went to South Shawlands Church with all the other children.
“People used to come to the church and say ‘we’re looking for a little girl to look after, or a boy or whatever’.
“The Bennets were looking for a girl but Mrs Bennet decided to take me instead.
“The last thing my mother said was ‘don’t let David out of your sight! And my brother said ‘If you’re taking him you’re taking me as well’ as we wanted to stay together so they took the both of us.”
David and his brother went to Burnside Primary School before attending Rutherglen Academy.
David said he had some trouble adjusting to the Glasgow dialect but he soon made friends and thoroughly enjoyed his time in Scotland.
He said: “We had a bit of trouble with the accent at the beginning, especially with some of the children from the Bridgeton and Gorbals area.
“However, we soon got used to the dialect and made friends.”
David still comes back to visit the area anytime he comes to Scotland.
He said: “At least every other year we go up to Scotland. “I love to visit the area and see how it has changed over the years.”
