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In anticipation of
the bombing of Liverpool at the start of WW2, three camps were built on
requisitioned land in and around Maghull to house bombed out families.
However the blitz was over before the camps were completed and, in 1947, the
hutted camp at Damfield Lane became home to Polish
soldiers and their families. |
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The National Assistance Board took over the administration
of the camp and appointed Mr. J. Q. Evans as the first warden.
Although Mr. Evans administrated the camp for just over a year, he became
a popular and well liked warden. When he was promoted to a new post the
Polish community from Damfield Lane presented
him with an album of photographs and over a 140 signatures from well
wishers from the camp. |
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Mr. Evans with members of the camp committee and administration
staff |
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A farewell speech given by on of the committee
members. |
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LADIES and GENTLEMEN, we have met here today
to say "Good Bay " to our Warden Mr. Evans, who is leaving us
on promotion to a post at Headquarters. |
| In the name of the Hostel residents I greet
Mr. Balderson and all our British guests and cordially thank them
for coming here and, by their presence, giving greater meaning to
our farewell to our beloved and highly esteemed Warden Mr.
Evans. I greet also the residents of the Hostel, who by their
presence, show their loyalty and affection for Mr. Evans. |
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| I openly Admit to all of you that this news
of the departure of Mr. Evans filled us with sorrow and grief,
because we are losing in him a good and kind person. Mr. Evans
knows well the reason for our stay here and that, for the
conditions now existing in Poland it is not we, but others
that are
to blame and therefore he always looked very kindly on us so
that the bread of exile should not be too bitter for us. |
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| I thank you Mr. Evans most cordially for you
kindness and friendship towards us and our children.
I wish you Mr. Evans all the best for the future and I am sure
that the memory of you will always remain in our hearts. |
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| Maghull 11/5/1948 |
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Other then the photos which were sent in
by Mr. Evans' family I have no other information about the camp.
From references found in the National Archives it seems likely that the
camp had
a nursery, junior school and a chapel. |
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If you or your family lived in the camp
and you have photos you would like to add to the page or can name any one
please get in touch. |
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Nursery children with their teachers |
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Mr. Evans surrounded by the camp's children in
national dress |
First Communion with the camp's priest, Mr. Evans
and the children's families. |
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Proud to be Polish |
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Page 1 Current |
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Page 2 Józef
Mikietyn story |
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