A FORMER evacuee still pays his respects to the family that took him in 80 years ago by laying flowers at their graves on the anniversary of the eve of the Second World War.

Alan Kay was 12 when he was evacuated from his home near Newcastle to live with a family in Witherslack.

“I will never forget it,” he said.

“As we arrived into Oxenholme station we didn’t know where we were going, it was all left in the lap of the gods.

“But going to Witherslack ended up being the cream of the cake and I’m still so thankful to this day to the family.”

Mr Kay, who is now 92, lived with the auctioneer Harold Hodgson and his family near Witherslack Hall for three years.

He described how he was taken in as 'one of the family' and as an ‘outdoor lad’ he could not wait to explore the fells.

“I would help out on the farm near Nether Hall,” he continued.

“I was more than happy to muck in, I would milk the cows first thing, feed the dogs, collect the firewood, clean the shoes, and feed the ferrets, I was so happy to do it.”

Mrs Hodgson became like a mother to Mr Kay, who also developed a close friendship with son Sam until his death aged 60 in 1980.

“Even after I left to go back to Newcastle I stayed in touch with them,” he said.

“My own family would also come and spend their holidays with them.”

Following Mr and Mrs Hodgson’s death Mr Kay made it a mission to travel every year, on the date he became an evacuee, to lay flowers on their gravestones.

Another evacuee, who travelled from Greater Manchester to Grange, said the community welcomed him and the rest of his school, around 150 pupils, into the community instantly.

David Monk was eight when he was evacuated and stayed with a family called the Hobsons.

Now aged 80, Mr Monk has fond memories of his time in Grange.

“I had quite an affection for Mrs Hobson,” he said.

“She used to come and visit my parents over the holidays after the war.”