DEREK Stevens has recently contacted the 'Post' as he is trying to get back in touch with a friend he met as an evacuee in Boyton.

Derek, aged 80 who now lives in Lincolnshire, was aged ten when he was evacuated in June/August 1940 from Dartford, Kent, to Hessacott Farm, Boyton, along with his younger sister Sonia who stayed at another farm. Derek explained that he stayed with a couple called Mr and Mrs Wills and became friends with Mrs Wills' niece, Dawn, who would visit the farm in holiday time.

The only information that Derek has is that Mrs Wills' maiden name was Martin. Along with this, he did not know Dawn's married name. They had written to each other after the war. However as both Derek and Dawn had moved on, contact was lost.

Derek reminisced about his time at Boyton, he remembered enjoying hearty meals and being well fed. He would carry his younger sister on his back to school at Ladycross, a good two mile walk from the farm which wasn't so pleasant in the winter months. The younger children were taught in the school and the older children in the chapel.

Two years after being evacuated to Boyton, Derek was sent back to Dartford and has since moved a few times. He has visited the farm and tried to get in touch with some of Mrs Wills' family but had no joy. He had heard that Dawn was living in Bude in the early 1980s.

He said: "It would be nice to re-count stories whilst on the farm, but a long time has passed."

If you have any information about Dawn that can help Derek to get back in touch with her, please contact Mr D Stevens, 24 Deira Close, Saxonfields, Quarrington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 8UR.

See another picture in this week's 'Post'.