The memoirs of Valerie Braunston, a woman who was evacuated from London to rural Lincolnshire during World War Two, have remarkably been discovered. At just 11 years old, Valerie was relocated to a pig farm in Brampton, under the looming threat of German V weapons engulfing the city. These memoirs were found by her son, Miles Bingham, during a clearance of her attic in Ludlow, Shropshire. Valeria, now 88, had Alzheimer’s and had recently moved into a care home.
Miles discovered her memoir in the attic of her home. It narrated her experiences during wartime and her evacuation to Lincolnshire in 1944. Despite surviving the Blitz, her family had a tough time coping with the new wave of rocket attacks. Valerie’s memoir, now published under the title ‘London Can Take It’, relates the terrifying and unfamiliar shift from the hustle and bustle of London to the tranquil countryside of Lincolnshire. One moving extract depicts her arrival at the farm, where she had to deal with the unaccustomed reality of living near a piggery.
Whilst Valerie initially longed to return to London, she gradually came to appreciate the serene beauty of the Lincolnshire landscape. Her son witnessed her admiration for the captivating golden sunsets, a contrast to the familiar city skyline. Unfortunately, because of her condition, she could not remember her own writings when shared by Miles. She passed away shortly after her relocation to the care home.
This newfound memoir provides a unique insight into the life of a wartime evacuee, encapsulating the resilience and adaptability of those who underwent such disruption. This story was adapted from original reporting by the BBC.
