Looking at these photos of the toddlers, three, four or five years old, I have always wondered what happened to them and how their lives developed. The children in the photographs would be their 80’s now but we have their photographs because, in 1939, they were sent to the country, to Highclere, to be away from London because of the threat of bombing during WW2. One man wanted more land and, with a large army with lots of men who followed his orders, invaded the country next door.
It is an old story and not a good one. One day families living in towns and cities in the Ukraine were having coffee in cafes, wandering through the streets, meeting friends, visiting art galleries, glad they were leaving the years of the covid pandemic behind. In the next, almost surreal, moment there were tanks and explosions which we were following live on TV.
I imagine it was a similar tale 68 years ago. That one day families were eating lunch in Prague and the next tanks were rolling through the streets. It has undoubtedly been happening almost since the start of the human race and is one of the darker motifs of our shared history. The Iron Age fort on top of Beacon Hill here are Highclere had 30 ft ramparts built around it and it is extremely unlikely they were built for decoration.
Even the bible offers examples. The story of “David and Goliath” describes an abnormally tall, strong and well-armed man, Goliath, confronting a skinny youth armed with nothing more than a staff and a slingshot for which he picked up five stones from a brook as he prepared to go in to battle. Goliath’s approach inculcated fear and noise and he assumed he would win. David ignored it, hurled a stone from his sling carefully aimed to hit Goliath in the centre of his forehead, he fell down and David dispatched him. It is a tale of courage, faith and overcoming the seemingly impossible. Who knows if the Ukraine will be able to pull off the same feat?
The remains of the ramparts at Beacon Hill
It is a terrible spectacle and of course the next instalment is about refugees, exile and hopefully examples of the tale of the good Samaritan. Poland has led the world in saying welcome, offering piles of clothes and warm food and, as those exiled grow in number, of trying to find them somewhere to stay. All of us are speechless and so many of us want to help, to offer a hand.
For those who live in Russia, often related to those in the Ukraine, they cannot buy anything with ease, they have become international pariahs and the reputation and future of their country has been compromised.
What is extraordinary in this something of a broken world, struggling with our own health as well of that of our planet, is that this terrible week has united so many of us together in emotion and friendship. The consensus is unbelievably uplifting and continues to be so.
The children in the photograph grew up in a world in which their parents hoped that their sacrifices would save them from further conflict. Not so much brothers and sisters in arms but brothers and sisters in peace. Let us hope that we can maintain at least some stability.
Lady Carnarvon, let Peace return to the Ukaine. They have my complete support, prayers and love. God be with them all in their hours of need. Cheryl
Amen
If we could only learn from history instead of repeating it. Thank you for a thoughtful essay, I enjoy your writing. Peace,
So well put Mara. And I also agree, Lady Carnarvon is a true gift to us.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing. This was quiet and comforting story that fits with our past week, unfortunately.
Pray for peace. We need to get along regardless of differences.
Thank you.
Carolyn T.
Beautifully written, and much needed at this time!
Thank you so much for your very moving commentary.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Amen! This is an absolute perfect post. It is so true, history repeats itself. Suellyn
I heard a sermon once that said “David was a birder” meaning that he had used his slingshot to kill birds. While we do not like the thought of the birds being picked off by stones from David’s hand, we realize that his target practice prepared him for the moment against Goliath. He was not strong or wise or even a soldier. But he was a sure shot. We never know what God is preparing us for even as we pick up a stone and hurl it. May we ALL rise the the challenge in our Goliath moment like the people of Ukraine. They are not soldiers, they are neighbors.
The Ukranians are heroes
Thank you for these comforting words. I am Polish, living in Finland and since the beginning of the Putin’s aggression towards Ukraine I cannot sleep, I cannot work and I do not function normally. I look at my kids every morning and I am grateful that they do not have to sit in the metro and listen to the explosions. At the same time I cry seeing toddlers with their mums crossing the border between Ukraine and Poland. There eyes are just empty. They are exhausted. These kids should be in the nursery or school, playing, reading, dancing and doing all the silly things that my toddlers do. There are so many extreme feelings and thoughts in my head. But what is indeed true is the unbelievable willingness to help among the people, which uplifts me a lot. I hope we will all use this “momentum”. How I wish this war is over! Take care and bless you all in Highclere <3
A powerful message and perspective, for which I thank you this morning. David and Goliath is an appropriate parallel. May God protect Ukraine. May God cause Putin’s army to put down their weapons, rise up against him and go back to their homes.
May those of us watching not rest in our own freedoms but
find ways to actively change and reverse what has been set in motion for a good outcome- that being PEACE.
Amen !!
Tears fall. What history at your home and sadly, repeating… As I heard the air raid sirens and rockets on the news, the vivid recollections my grandmother had of England being bombed came flooding back. They emerged to find the house across the street totally leveled and those next to it, not even one flower petal or branch disturbed.
There is, yet again, one madman terrifying many. May peace and freedom win. I stand with Ukraine.
It seems that the world leaders never learn and the people suffer the consequences.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I saw this morning on TV a mother of two children, about 5 or 7 years old, embracing them with tears as they were sent to the border with a neighbor to be safe and she was staying behind as her husband was fighting in the streets barricades. The fate of that mother, those children, the husband, a few days ago probably a happy family going about their business, now shuttered.
It seems to me that some people, like Putin, has not learned a thing about anything, or history or people. Let us hope that we can unite in prayers and hope of PEACE in this difficult world and root for the people of Ukraine, once more.
Bravo, Lady Carnarvon, and beautifully written. I knew of Highclere Castle’s involvement of harboring children during WWII because I’ve read your books (all, so far). History remembers the helpers. What a shame some leaders neglect to read about and follow these acts of kindness and righteousness. We will pray for Ukraine, and we will continue to help in any way we can.
How beautifully phrased your words: “History remembers the helpers”!! And where history doesn’t, it should.
Thank you for sharing. I love the historical reminder from WWII; praying for a peaceful resolve for the Ukrainian people.
God save us all
FL Greetings Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for your timely Monday Blog. Agree with you on the shock and sadness of the reality of what is taking place in Ukraine. Prayers going out for that country and the ones that Ukrainians have fled too with hope they’ll be able to safely return to the home they knew and live there in peace once again. Grateful to all who are able to reach out and provide aide and shelter. Sad days again for so many world-wide.
I rather think the allies, all the world, should confiscate overseas Russian assets and use them to rebuild hospitals in Ukraine
Prayers for peace.
A most apposite piece. This old man can barely dare watch the news with the clips of families struggling to escape across borders with children clutching their cuddly toy comforters. All due to one man’s megalomaniac ambition It certainly puts our problems into perspective. .
Thank you! Beautifully articulated.
Thank You, dear Lady Carnarvon, for Your smart and sensitive words!
What a beautiful story, it’s not a story it’s a shame. Thank you
Jenny
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for this timely reminder of how fragile our lives can be. In our prayers of intercession this past Sunday in our parish church at Barby, Northants, we prayed for my family in Kitsmani’, Ukraine. Please pray for Galena and Vasily Andrako and their family. We pray God will touch them with His peace and hold them gently in His hands.
Coming alongside you to lift your family to the Lord’s care & protection.
May all who intend to harm innocent lives be confounded & confused in their plans.
Longing for the fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision (Isa. 11:6–9) where the wolf dwells with the lamb in safety & peace and the earth is full of the knowledge & love of the Lord.
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of David and Goliath and lovely to Visit Highcelere castle and did you lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend and thank you for the email
Lady Carnarvon – thank you for he pictures and history lesson. As I get older it continues to amaze me how we repeat history and apparently not learn from it.
Thanks again!
We pray for the people of Ukraine. In my naivety, I hoped we were beyond the days when one country felt it had the right to invade another sovereign nation. It angers me, that we are seeing 1939 replayed in 2022.
Hello Lady Carnarvon
Wonderful blog. Very timely given current events.
Thank you
Mike Calogridis
Beautifully said . Very poignant .
Visited your lovely estate this past October with Viking . Praying for peace !
Jennie Eakes
Tennessee , USA
Brings tears to my eyes to read today’s story. How touching. Unfortunately, our world has not changed much even though it has been almost 100 years.
What a wonderful piece of history! I think young people today should learn about the price others paid for their freedom. You are such a wonderful storyteller and I think you should write a children’s book about Highclere and the children who came during the war. You have so much material here!!!
What a brilliant idea! I, for one, second it!
Thank you for an incisive view of history. If more could understand this mistake in this way, we could perhaps avoid facing the consequences every
2-3 generations. You can almost plot this failure to understand history as a s-shaped curve. It seems to take only one tyrant to manipulate a minority, everyone else suffers.
Very well said Lady Carnarvon. We all need to pray for the Ukrainian people.
What a wonderful, astute and meaningful essay. The photos are spectacular! I hope it jars reality into the minds of folks here in the U.S. and makes them realize how fortunate they are that this country has never had a blitz, massive destruction, displacement nor threat of invasion. I’m married to a Scot who remembers the painful recovery….the rebuilding, rationing, etc. whilst returning Yanks were buying automobiles, suburban homes and eating steak. Keep up the good work….our prayers are with you!
Your writing skills never fail to impress me. Today you moved my heart.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
When Ukraine became independent of Russia, they dropped “the” in front of it. It is simply Ukraine. The former indicates the era when they were under Soviet rule and part of that whole. As with the Crimea, which is now simply Crimea. I still forget myself and include “the” out of habit sometimes.
My very best,
Pat
Prayers for a Ukrainian victory and future peace. God help us all.
Amen to that, Lady Carnarvon. You nailed the sentiment of so many.
Peace and Love,
Patsy
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
You have beautifully written about something so incomprehensible… man’s inhumanity to man. True heroes shine through the evil, and may the light of peace dispel this current darkness.
Thank you.
Warm regards,
Charlotte Cole
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
My mum was evacuated with her brother, and she has unhappy memories from it, as the family that hosted them were not very nice, having no children of their own. I expect the children who went to Highclere, although very well looked after, missed their parents, and although children have an amazing resilience and ability to adapt, it must have been a very traumatic time. I hope this war does not spread, if Ukraine needs our help, I think we should give it, and allow Ukraine to join the EU and NATO. This will bring the whole of Europe into conflict again and although we will stand together, will it be enough? Will we be hosting children from the cities again? I pray all will be over quickly.
Jane
My mother was the same.
Bad memories of her wartime childhood.
The memories never left her and she never liked traveling far from home.
She felt so insecure.
She passed away last year.
Well said!
Lady Carnarvon,
As much as history repeats itself we always pray that wars will one day cease and that greed will no longer be the goal of tyrants. Like David though, we are thankful for faith to carry us through the darkest of days. Courage is costly. May God be merciful to those who at this moment are standing in harms way. Friends from Ohio just sent me a photo of a young family they knew well when they lived in the Ukraine with the Air Force. Putting faces to the situation humanizes it like nothing else.
Beautifully said. Amazing pictures.
Saying prayers for everyone in the Ukraine.
❤
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for these thoughts as the world watches in horror what one man can do, with what appears to be no conscience.
I appreciate your comments and can certainly understand your curiosity regarding what became of all of the children sent to the countryside to escape Hitler’s destructive bombs on London . God Bless people who opened their homes and hearts to them.
Sincerely yours,
Sisi Damner
Fascinating story about the children. About 35 of them? Who was owner of Highclere in ’39 (is she pictures at the far left?) and how was your present home then identified as a likely refuge for the children? How long did they stay? Were they reunited with their surviving parents or next-of-kin at the end of the Blitz (or War)?
This has the makings of an entire book, I would guess, that would generate much interest. Most stories like this one are glossed over in one sentence (if that) in the broader history of the war.
Thanks for sharing.
I have been heartbroken since the carnage began. Humanity has not been lost as support for the people of Ukraine is pouring in from around the world. Comparing Ukraine to David and Goliath is a perfect analogy. Thank you
Good Afternoon Lady Carnarvon,
I have just read your weekly news article which I always find very interesting so thank you so much.
Today your heartfelt words resonated with I’m sure so many.
During WW2 my father fought in the Far East. He was captured and sent to a Changi POW camp. He escaped twice only to be recaptured.
Surely, there should be many, many lessons to be learned as the cruelty and total disregard for the basic welfare for humanity still exists today. A wish to live everyday with consideration for others should be a priority for us all.
Kind regards,
Susan Goddard
Blessings to the people of Ukraine. May we all live in peace and harmony. Thank you for your wonderfully insightful writings. Stay well!
Things are becoming so sad. Sad.
A great blog today, Lady Carnarvon. Beautifully written, history and the presence artfully tied together. We all hope for peace, although it seems rather unlikely any time soon. On the topic of the children of WWII, I loved this piece. Are there records of the children’s names and their whereabouts right after the war? It would be amazing to search and organize a reunion for them at Highclere….while there is still some time left.
My grandmother stayed at Highclere during the war. She was 19 years old and we are unsure of the exact details behind why she was there, maybe she accompanied some of the children from London where she lived? She recounted stories of working in the stables.
I can’t bear to think about any child having to be sent away from family to a strange place to live but what a wonderful place Highclere must have been for those children to have been sent to. I wonder how many of them are still around to tell their tale.
All that I could say has been said by others. Thank you for this thoughtful blog. Prayers for peace for the people of Ukraine.
Thoughtful and well-written as always: I will continue to pray for an outcome similar to David and Goliath.
Thank you for this message!
Prayers for the Ukraine.
However, as a former Airborne Infantry Officer in the US Army, I have to have some empathy with the Russians who are dying needlessly. 18 and 19 year old boys, mainly, who are fighting for a tyrant’s aberrant dream. The whole thing is difficult for me to watch..
As my Father came to the USA as a 15 year old from the Ukraine and my Mother from Poland both following the 1st World War I find myself in deep distress over the War that Russia has launched on the Ukrainian People. It is with deep hope that the War will be brought to a speedy end and the Ukrainian People will be allowed to live in Peace!
Agreed
Well written My Lady. United we stand.
We do – we do stand united
Such a special story, so much history, so many memories. I am in the same age bracket as those darling children who spent the war years at Highclere. To hear from some of them would be wonderful, stories of their survival, how their lives progressed, where they are now – what a story!! Thank you Lady Carnarvon for such compassion. May God be with us through these dreadful days.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for your thoughtful blog today. It always seems to be the innocents, the children, who suffer the most in these dreadful situations. A friend sent me this quote which seems very apt:-
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace”. Jimi Hendrix
Prayers for the people of Ukraine.
Thank you, thank you so much for your words and reflections and making this a priority for your blog this morning.
Prayers are focused thoughts trying to affect and help determine an outcome.
So let us pray for the very, very brave Ukrainians, pray for the brave Russians protesting in Russia who want no part of this atrocity, pray the Russian army has no stomach for this horror, pray for unlimited support and love flowing into Ukraine, Pray for victory for the Ukrainians.
You brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you. You are a strong voice of reason and compassion.
Violet from Florida, USA
Nicely said. I saw a quote the other day that went something like this: If humans spent as much money improving society as they do building insturments of death, it would be a better world. This war, like most, is needless. Will the day ever come when the soldiers just stop being soldiers and become better humans?
My heart bleeds…mothers saying goodbye to sons and husbands, fathers saying goodbye to wives and children, families saying goodbye to their loved ones…for what? To feed the delusions of an inhumane tyrant. Would that his minions would rise up against him and put evil to bed, for good. Thank you, Lady Carnarvon, for your kindness and humanity.
Well said ,Thank You
Thank you Lady Carnarvon for your wise and empathetic words. You bring us together in so many different ways. My prayers go out to the people of Ukraine. ❤️
All of ours yet inadequate
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for your Monday blog.
A beautiful, empathically written and illustrated comparison regarding the current events happening in Ukraine.
Praying for a peaceful and long-lasting resolution to this unnecessary conflict.
Until next week, please stay safe.
Perpetua Crawford
I hope and pray that we, (NATO, Europe, US etc.) have learned the lessons of 1939 when Hitler invaded Poland under a false pretense. Democracy, The Rule of Law, and Civilization is again at risk. Let’s not repeat our past history.
Always love your posts.
KRISTINE LILJA-KING
Archaeologist
Bangor, Maine, USA
Lady Carnarvon,
Your words this morning left us somber – similar to sitting at the bedside of a dear friend. The world is sad and hoping that some resemblance of peace will come to Ukraine. There are students and citizens in our city who are rallying for peace, waiting to hear even a short message from friends and family. You have captured the enormity and cruelty of this very harsh invasion by Russia, but sane countries are rising up to help our sisters and brothers in many ways.
Thank you again for telling the story and hearing our hearts. May we all pray for peace.
Martha G
Both the current and the past situations in Ukraini
are very sad yet, your account of it all inspires hope for its end.
May Peace prevail on Earth.
Let all peoples Love.
Dear Lady Carnarvon and dear readers, the most beautiful and extraordinary thing in the most difficult moments is resilience and the lively and powerful willpower and indestructible desire for rebirth. Like Sisyphus who keeps pushing the heavy boulder to the top of the mountain even though it keeps rolling down. Best wishes to everyone.
Thank you, Lady Carnarvon, for your heartfelt words. I, too, would very much love to see you write a children’s book about the children during WWII, who were relocated to Highclere (as suggested by Tracy Elder on the 22nd of February.)
We have the visuals today, documentation that was never experienced by people – refugees, children, adults – during WWII. You could relay that dimension to perhaps children of a certain age through your stories.
Your writing is a gift and your access to these stories a treasure and a blessing.
With my heartfelt thanks,
Margaret Henry
Northern Virginia
Here’s my wish that you will write a book about the children at Highclere during the war. Many families would probably reach out to you to tell their stories about their family members who may have been there. It would be a true tribute to them. You write so well – it would be an act of love. Thank you for considering it.
Martha G
I did write Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey .. but you are right too
Good morning Lady Carnarvon……………. said with the hope of a better morning for the people of Ukraine who are bravely fighting for their country and their lives. God Bless them and let all our prayers tell them that we are 100% with them.
Why is it that these despotic people get to rule countries? Have we not learned the lessons from the past? Are we not able to see what they are like before its too late to stop them?
I fear for the people of Ukraine, I am saddened by the pictures of children clutching their toys, not understanding what is going on and the fearful looks on their faces. Shame on you Mr. Putin where is your heart?
I am proud of the ordinary citizens of Ukraine who are standing up to the invaders, all of them showing great courage and determination. God Bless your homeland, it is worth fighting for.
Joy
Orange Australia
They are amazing and President Zelensky has been at the front and in the trenches
Because of one man’s ego and ambition, nations will suffer the ripple effect. I live half way around the world and feel so sad for the Ukrainians. They are so brave and loyal to their beautiful country. There are Ukrainians in Hawaii who are fearing for their families and for their country. Thank you for the pictures of the children who were sheltered at Highclere. It reminds us of the toll war has on innocent children.
Unfortunately, my June cruise on Viking Homelands will be modified because we were supposed to be in St. Petersburg for two days. It’s so sad that I will probably not have the chance to see that city in the future.
I hope in case you have a great cruise. – I know you will. I have never been to Russia and may not see it either.Sweden Finland Denmark will welcome more of us as a result.
Praying for the Brave Men, Women and Children of Ukraine.
Lady Carnarvon – thank you so much for your timely piece to-day; & to all who have added their own words & thoughts. Your blog was very moving & heartfelt in the midst of such suffering.
Pray to-night for Ukraine & its’ people.
Evelyn Harper, Belfast
When I was travelling in Scotland I met two ladies who had come from London for the first time since World War II to see the people who had kept them as children during the war. This was at least fifty years after the war ended.
Thank you for this.
Thank you Lady Carnavon for your eloquent, timely words, as always.
I’ve been listening to the Ukrainian National Anthem-so stirring !
Ukraine is not yet dead, nor its glory and freedom,
Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians.
Our enemies will die, as the dew does in the sunshine,
and we, too, brothers, we’ll live happily in our land.
We’ll not spare either our souls or bodies to get freedom
and we’ll prove that we brothers are of Kozak kin.
Our hearts are with the brave people of Ukraine.
They are.
Lady Carnarvon,
How can we help? Is one of your charities funding relief efforts in Ukraine?
Prayers are needed, but practical help is warranted, too.
I, like you, would do anything to help – it is getting worse and as it does there will be need and focus.
Lady Carnarvon,
A very touching and historical photographs of these beautiful children from WWII. And what a lovely gesture their staying at Highclere. We are praying that this terrible situation that one irrational man has caused; can end in peace for both countries. And Ukraine can overcome with their strength and goodwill. History has proved that good always wins in the end.
Thank you for posting what so many of us are unable to put into our own words, Lady Carnarvon. Most eloquently said and so difficult, considering the subject matter.
Your heart seems always to be in the right place! I empathise and shed tears for all Ukranians. My sympathy also goes to those many good hearted Russians in the USSR, and globally who oppose the war on their neighbours. So many of us, at times, are horrified by the actions of our leaders and mortified by association. In the words of John Lennon, quoted by the UN spokesperson this week, “Give Peace A Chance”.
Dear Lady Carnarvon!
Beautifully written! Thank yo so much!
It is such a terrible and sad time we all are going through right Now. We all cry for poor Ukraine!
Let us pray for peace!
Greetings from Sweden and Lena
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for responding to my earlier reply about writing a book about the children at Highclere during WW II. I am happy to say I own your earlier books about Lady Catherine and Lady Almina, and At Home at Highclere and Seasons. I am drawn to English history since the early 1300s, and especially more recent.
I do hope you will consider, as another reader suggested, a children’s book – perhaps aimed towards the 9 – 12 year old girl. It would be so popular! I have a great-granddaughter who would enjoy it.
Enough!
On to Tuesday morning coffee!
Martha G.
Very well put. My heart goes out to all those in UKRAINE and their families around the globe. Will history repeat itself? Let’s hope not. I admire Ukraine”s President Zelensky. I hope he and the Ukraine army will defeat putin (not capitalized because he is a little mean man) The world must stay strong and together.
I have two different English friends who grew up in London during WWII and they both were sent far away to the countryside for their safety. Avril was 3 or 4 and her mother was a nurse and her father an officer in the Queen’s own regiment. There was no one to take care of her because they were working round the clock and the bombing was getting very difficult to believe they would continue to be safe. She doesn’t know where she was sent but she remembers an airfield nearby because the planes scared her……they sputtered just like the ones that dropped the bombs in London. Jenny used to go back once a year until she outlived all her family. The few times she talked about the bombing of London, she would get a far-away look in her eyes and you had the distinct impression you were in the presence of a traumatized child. Her parents had a grocer shop which had many close calls but continued to operate throughout the war. Her one memory is that the train ride took forever because they stopped constantly and would drop three or four children at every station. For the fifteen years I knew these two they remained English to their core and were the embodiment of all that it means to be wonderful, caring people. No, we don’t need to go through this again, Comrade Putin.
Thank you for your wonderful essay.
Yes, what´s happening is terrible and sad. We all know that there will always be another Goliath. How men of good will, who are in power, can stop all this craziness, no one knows. All that is left for me is to pray.
Absolutely well-written essay by Lady Carnarvon. One minute we live in peace the next we become refugees. History is littered with such terrible stories. As one who lived in Iran I found myself uprooted by revolution in 1979 (read my book: Farewell Shiraz) so my heart goes out to anyone whose life is brutally shattered by man’s inhumanity to man. I must take a moment that I celebrated the return to normality earlier this year in January 2022 by visiting Highclere Castle. As a fan of Lady Carnarvon’s books and excellent podcasts but also Downton Abbey I had the time of my life there. It was a glorious sunny day and the peace and tranquil setting of the castle rooms and beautiful gardens was pure tonic. I hope to take my wife there later in the year. It was also a treat to watch Lady Carnarvon and her son followed by their beautiful dogs pass me by as I enjoyed the complimentary afternoon tea. One of the dogs did run up to my outdoor table and sniffed the delicious sandwiches only to be retrieved by its owners. How the world has once again changed but let us pray for peace in Ukraine and the world. Meanwhile wishing Highclere Castle and it’s custodians many happy times as spring arrives in a few weeks from now. Thank you. Cyrus Kadivar (London).