2019 is the commemoration of 80 years since the beginning of World War Two, during which the great upheaval of the “Evacuation Programme” took place.
Drawn from the spoken memories of her husband, former Headteacher of James Peacock School, Beryl Callon, has written and produced a book. “But for the sake of a tiny wasp,” was inspired by a simple question: “What is an evacuee, grandpa and what did they do in the war?”
It’s an honest account of Ron Callon who, along with his five-year old brother Len, and two older sisters, Lillian and Joan, was unceremoniously plucked from a loving family and evacuated to West Sussex.
Here, on 1st September 1939, a chance moment in time led to what was to become a memorable and nostalgic journey through life. The book tells of the evacuee experiences of two young boys; the happy memories, traumas and moments of loneliness and fear. Later, it reveals how these experiences had a lifelong effect on Ron’s future development as an individual.
To enhance the story, “But for the sake of a tiny wasp” also includes historical facts, personal photographs and original newspaper extracts from the war years.
In post-war years, the Callon family settled in and around the Nottinghamshire village of Gotham, and, over the years have laughed – and cried – together at the revelation of Ron’s stories. Ron and Len live in close proximity to one another and are able to regularly share the emotional moments of their evacuation.
For a number of years Ron ran his business – Callon Tools Ltd – from Charles Street in Ruddington whilst Beryl was Headteacher at James Peacock until her retirement. In 2019, along with the commemoration of 80 years since the beginning of WW2, Beryl and Ron, at the respective ages of 86 and 89, will celebrate 64 years of marriage and the 68 years of record keeping which has culminated in the publication of this book.
To purchase a copy of “But for the sake of a tiny wasp,” please contact Elaine Wright on 0115 921 3498, Jill Bennett on 07738 0131 62, Hazel Lunn on 07912 350 490 or visit www.troubador.co.uk.