A former evacuee, who was billeted to Grimscott at six years old, returned to the village on Sunday to take part in the VE Day 70 celebrations.

Gordon Abbott, alongside his wife Christine, visited Grimscott, the place where he spent the majority of his childhood. They joined residents for cream teas and a display of old photographs was held in the village hall.

Gordon has shared his journey with the Post. It began on June 16, 1940, when he and 250 school children were marched from Plough Road School, Battersea, to Clapham Junction before catching the train from Waterloo Railway Station. Unknown to the children, they were travelling to Bude.

Gordon said: "It was a very long train journey full of anticipation filled with fear and sadness for a great many of us in our school party, although for myself, I cannot recall any real fear it was more of an adventure. Perhaps I was too young to realise the significance of what was happening around me and what was about to happen in my life as an evacuee."

After refreshments at Cann and Medlands Garage [now Spar] and medical examinations, the children were taken by bus to surrounding villages.

Gordon stayed with Mr and Mrs Rowe at their farm for a few months before lodging with Mr and Mrs Ambrose Newton at Jewells Farm, Grimscott.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.