About

Peter Barton

Well let me begin by thanking you for taking a look at my website. (said the spider to the fly !) Sorry, that’s my funny sense of humour, but I suppose there is some truth in it because I am trying to coax you into helping a charity called WaterAid in their efforts to make a better world by supplying clean water and sanitation everywhere by 2030.

I have supported WaterAid since their inception during 1981 and hit upon the idea of raising funds by writing a children’s story about my own experiences as a evacuee during WW2 in 1944. Incidentally I have been supported by no less a personality than Joanna Lumley in my fundraising !

At my retired age of 86 I consider myself very fortunate to have survived those dangerous early years as a child and now live comfortably in a nice home with my lovely wife, family and neighbours. Together with everyone else, I owe a great deal to those who gave so much during the war years. Our lovely benefactor, Mrs Hermione Hichens, who gave myself and family refuge in her stately home North Aston Hall in Oxfordshire, shown above, also gave assistance to countless other evacuees, despite losing her eminent husband Lionel Hichens during a bombing raid in 1940. She also sadly lost her eldest son Captain John Hichens shortly after D-Day when we were with her.

My book titled “To See A Fine Lady” is dedicated to her.

I have also made tribute to the American 55th Medical Battalion who were stationed in the grounds of North Aston Hall before leaving for D-Day on the 6th June 1944 at Normandy. A memorial service is fictitiously portrayed in the story when the children project themselves into the future and witness the service in 2007. After the book was published in 2005 it occurred to me that I could perhaps make the memorial happen and thanks to the church authorities a service actually took place on 6th June 2007 at St.Mary’s church North Aston. Video of this event is included in the YouTube presentation.

By helping WaterAid I feel that in a way the sacrificial ideals shown by so many during the war are being perpetuated from their spirit and determination for a better world.