“A COMPREHENSIVE tour of inspection of the educational and billeting facilities in Swindon and district for Barking evacuees is being carried out by the mayor and mayoress of Barking,”

reported the Advertiser.

During a three-day visit the dignitaries attended an “at home” to Barking and Dagenham mothers and were guests of honour at a Barking-Swindon Clubland Christmas party, an organisation that catered for the social welfare of the evacuees.

Following a visit to Pinehurst School the mayor and mayoress visited some of the homes where the children were billeted.

Before leaving for Cirencester the mayor expressed his appreciation of everything that had been done for the evacuated mothers and children.

“Tell your people that we are grateful for the kindness and care they are bestowing upon our little ones,” he told the Advertiser.

“The children are looking very much better for the change and apart from a little longing to see their parents, are quite happily settled.”