Dad's Army Annual 1975 [antikvár]

Jf 4 Operation Evacuees ather round, men, I have an vJ announcement to make," said Captain Mainwaring, one balmy summer's eve in the Wal-mington-on-Sea Parish Hall. "Och no," said Frazer, a little too loudly. "Not another cross country run. Ma poor achin' feet are still recoverin' from the last one!" "No, Frazer, it's nothing like that," said Captain Mainwaring, at which the entire platoon breathed a deep sigh of relief Cross country runs weren't exactly the platoon's idea of a pleasant way to spend an afternoon; but for some reason or other, they did seem to appeal to Captain Mainwaring. Perhaps it was because he so rarely actually took part - something urgent would always seem to crop up at the bank at the very last moment "Now then, do I have everybody's attention?" Captain Mainwaring began again. "Pike, just wake up Godfrey, will you?" When at last the commanding officer was quite sure that his troops were all paying attention, he began to make the announcement. "I have had a letter this morning from the civilian welfare department at the War Office. As you all of course know, our capital city nightly faces grave dangers from enemy bombers, and it has been decided that large numbers of the children of the city must be evacuated to safer areas in the quiet of the countryside. Ten of these poor, defenceless city children are coming to Walmington." "We'll look after them. Captain Mainwaring, sir!" said kind-hearted Jones enthusiastically. "Poor little things, away from their mums and dads. I bet they'll be really timid little things. But don't worry, sir, we'll look after 'em!" "Thank you, Jones," said Captain Mainwaring. "That's just what I hoped you'd all say. The children will be housed with local families, and during the time they're here they will go to the local school. But naturally in our capacity as Home Guard we will