It was 1940, and the world was gripped by war. I had been living in London with my family, but now our lives had changed drastically. As people panicked, the news spread that we were to be evacuated and forced to leave our home.

I remember feeling frightened and confused as we all rushed around, packing our bags and gathering together our few possessions. We were instructed to leave everything else behind, apart from our family photographs. It all felt so unreal, but I knew that this was really happening.

As we waited on the platform, the sound of sirens filled the air. We all braced ourselves, unsure of what the future would hold. Together we boarded the train, winding our way out of London towards the countryside. As the train steamed away, I already felt a million miles away from home.

The journey was long, but the hours went by in a blur. All the while, I was fearful of what the future would bring. We arrived in a small village and were soon billeted in the homes of complete strangers. The people that welcomed us in were kind and generous, but I still felt alone and scared.

We were in a new world, having left our old lives and families far behind. A sense of normality was found at last. School was attended and friendships made. But the war had made an impact, and it would never be forgotten.

Now looking back, I can see that the evacuation was a turning point in my life. Faced with such difficulty, we all managed to pull through and emerge strong and proud. Though the experience is a distant memory, its lessons will remain with us forever.