[From the National Library of Australia's Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project]
Barbara Henderson, born in 1940, discusses her family background; being evacuated from London because of bombing during WW2; living at The Vale from 1942; her two brothers being evacuated to Weymouth; early memories playing with friends; schooling; leaving school and becoming a hairdresser at age 15; marriage (1962) and having a child; remarrying (1976) and living in Trinidad; returning to The Vale to live with her extended family; memories of the family's house and its layout; fond memories of her mother and aunt at this time; memories of her cousin, Peter Bidwell; memories of her cousin being placed in care; learning later that her cousin had been sent to Australia; the family corresponding with her cousin; the family meeting her cousin; feelings of guilt in the family; her good relationship with her cousin; her cousin's childhood in Australia; her cousin's feelings about his childhood experiences; her cousin's marriage, return to Australia, and then return to England; the Australian and British Apologies; her opinions in regard to child migration; religion; her feelings about being reunited with her cousin.
Prepared by: Debra Rosser
Created: 24 August 2012, Last modified: 14 August 2017