Brenda, was born on the 9th March 1933, in Manor Road Leyton and is now residing in Hazel End Care Home. We sat down with Brenda and chatted about her memories, her past experiences and the times that have stayed in her mind the most.

“I was six when the war broke out and, although I was too young to realise what was happening, I remember sitting underneath the wireless (as it was called in those days) which was on a shelf in the corner of the sitting room. Mum and dad were very serious, and we children were told to be quiet while they listened to the Prime Minster, Neville Chamberlain, saying we were at war with Germany.”

“The war started on September 3rd 1939. I do not remember much about the first few months – they called it the ‘phoney war’ as nothing much happened. We had an Anderson shelter built in the back garden in case of air attacks. .At some time or another we (my mother, brother and me) went to Doddinghurst to get away from London and the air-raids, all this seems a bit hazy.  I remember us all sleeping on the floor in someone’s house and then staying with an elderly lady for a while. I believe I am right in saying that people living in the country had to take in evacuees if they had the room.  I suppose we must have come back home after a short period as the raids didn’t materialise.”

The stories touched every one of us here at Hazel End, and as a result we wrote down Brenda’s memories and stories and surprised her by turning it into a book. The book ended with a statement “So that was my war. I pray that you never have to experience it, although as a child it did have its bright moments! Nan xx”

This can now be passed down to Brenda’s family and loved ones, as a constant reminder of her bravery throughout World War Two.

Alicia Marketing and Communications Manager commented “Brenda’s stories were so special; I am pleased she now has them all written down in one place. I hope her family love the gift, as much as we loved making it”.

At Hazel End we want to go above and beyond to make our residents feel loved and at home. We believe that our residents’ lives should be enriched by their time living with us. We strive to make a difference every day through both the quality of the care we provide and the consistently high standard of all our luxury care homes.

Whilst we cannot offer a full tour of our luxury home; we can offer external tours and have a virtual tour available.

Please call us on 01279 925 388 if you wish to arrange an external tour, schedule a pre-admission assessment; or have any queries in general you would like to discuss.