The Angels of Englemere Wood: The uplifting and inspiring true story of a children's home during the Blitz

Description

The uplifting true story of a London children's home dispatched to rural England during the Blitz, the Lady in Waiting who opened up her home, and the matron who changed their lives forever In 1940, as Britain braced for war, a group of poor London girls were dispatched to a children's home in Ascot to escape the merciless Luftwaffe bombing. At Englemere Wood they came under the care of the formidable but kindly Matron Doris Bailey - the Angel of Englemere - who cherished each girl as her own. Through first-hand accounts from the surviving girls, their stories and anecdotes shed light on life at the time - from the emotional upheaval of evacuation to adventures on the royal grounds of their new home - and the work of a woman who helped save a generation.

Karen Farrington is a writer and former journalist whose published work includes titles on social and military history, together with a range of non-fiction TV companion books. Her most recent work includes the bestselling series of books from The Repair Shop. She also worked as lead researcher for The Life and Times of Call The Midwife, the companion to series one and two of the BBC series. She lives in Devon.

An engaging war-time tale about the fortitude of children and the transformative impact of one woman's care for them. These evocative first-person memories conjure a vivid picture of 1940s Britain, leaving a lasting impression. -- Lucy Fischer A heart-warming story of hope and kindness * Daily Express * Full of fascinating detail, affectionately told, The Angels of Englemere Wood is by turns a humbling, touching, astonishing and ultimately uplifting read -- Joanna Toye A winning blend of nostalgic personal narratives with a detailed social history of World War Two. I guarantee you'll be charmed by every one of the cast of waifs and strays, as well as by the "Angels" who took care of them. * Duncan Barrett * An exquisite, meticulously researched account of what happened to Britain's disadvantaged children and all who touched their lives when war came. Gentle, fascinating, nostalgic - I loved being in the company of this beautiful humane book -- Tessa Dunlop A well-documented, imaginatively empathetic account of her life * The Times Literary Supplement * The Angels of Englemere is a heart rending and meticulously researched story of love, loss, companionship and bonding through the eyes of a group of disadvantaged children during WW2. When their families couldn't cope with them, doors opened that would transform their lives. This is a beautifully written nostalgic read. -- Ellee Seymour