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Mavis De-Jonghe was born Mavis Reed on 11th June 1929 at Billericay in Essex. But unfortunately she was to spend seven years in an orphanage.
From the age of seven in 1936 she was part of Spurgeons Orphanage and was not to leave until the age of 14 in 1943. She fondly recalls other girls in Mayfair Dormitory: Maureen Patey - Beryl Seeley - Pamela Spicer - and Daisy Skinner.
We were evacuated from Spurgeons Orphanage in London, to Reigate in Surry at the onset of World War II, but first we were evacuated to Farncombe in Surrey, before moving to our new Orphanage premises in Wray Park Road.
When we arrived by train, with gasmasks hanging around our necks, we were lined up, and local people came and picked the ones they liked to stay with them for about three months.
The big heavy door clanged shut behind me, and I was filled with dread -- it was the unhappiest time of my life and not one I really wish to remember, but I would love to hear from some of the other girls there.
I particularly remember Maritza Chakarian and Berjouhie Chakarian. I have a small bible given to me by them before I left, and I treasure it...I also remember Pamela Spicer, my best friend, I think we joined the Orphanage at the same time.
Under sevens went to live in Birchington, Kent, before going to London.
The only thing I can say is... 'Never, never let your children go away from you like that...' I have always said that if I was in the gutter I would take my children with me, because I KNOW they would be happier, whatever the do-gooders say!
Mavis later worked for the Tithe Redemption Comission - Finsbury Square - London, from where she fondly remembers the following girls: Betty Green, Betty Lawson, and Mary Atkinson (who went to Canada).
Before marrying in 1952 she lived at 36, Sackville Gdns, Ilford, Essex, and afterwards at Ringwood (St.Leonards).
Mavis De-Jonghe, Dorset, 2002
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To add a comment you must first login or join for free, up in the top left corner.| Comments | | did you know? | Posted
10 May 2009
5:53
By pjmatosian | My mother-in-law, Sara Hadjian, was also in the Reigate facility of Spurgeon's orphanage. She says she know Berjouhie & her sister, Nouritza, & Sue Shakarian and her sister, Maritza. She & the other Armenian girls all arrived in London in 1939 from Lebanon. My mother-in-law married an American Armenian & lives here in San Diego, CA. I am her daughter-in-law, Pam Matosian. | | Mavis De-Jonghe | Posted
11 Jul 2009
10:29
By shoushan | I am the sister of Maritza Chakarian,and am desperate to get in touch with you. I also remember Pamela Spicer and Daisy Skinner. Could you let me have your Email address or telephone number.
Mine is robert@rbarlow.orangehome.co.uk and telephone is 01805 623173.
Shoushan Chakarian. | | Paul De Jonghe | Posted
08 May 2022
16:55
By PaulDJ | I am so sorry for not seeing this much earlier. My mother, Mavis De Jonghe (as above) has memoirs written from that time at Spurgeons, and she has recollections of her time with Maritza and Berjouhie Chakarian, Pamela Spicer and others. If anyone has any interest in getting in touch on this, please E Mail me at ptdejonghe@hotmail.com. Many thanks, Paul |
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