Friends of Glossop Station have paid tribute to the late Bryan Howard, who was one of the 600 child evacuees who came to Glossop from Lowestoft in 1940 to escape the Second World War bombing.
Bryan, who was seven years old when he arrived on June 2, was an only child and made the journey without any family members.
In a tribute to Bryan, who died in Lowestoft on Saturday, May 9, the friends’ group spoke of him recalling the long train journey and especially the plunge into the darkness of Woodhead Tunnel.
In a tribute, the group said: “Bryan remembered how well organised the arrangements were in Glossop, on a sunny June evening, to find all the children homes.
“In the two years he was in Glossop, Bryan found homes with families in Old Glossop, Gladstone Street and Surrey Street.
“He attended Duke of Norfolk Junior School in Old Glossop and then moved to Littlemore School prior to taking the scholarship.
“In 1943 Bryan moved to Worksop so that he could further his education there with the Lowestoft Grammar group. His parents were able to make occasional trips to see him.
“Bryan returned to his family in Lowestoft in 1944. The town was still under attack and Bryan had vivid memories of the damage to local buildings.
“He continued to attend Lowestoft Grammar School and his favourite subject was chemistry.
“He studied at St. Andrew’s University for five years, graduating with a degree in chemistry.
“In 2008, Bryan made his first return to Glossop in 64 years as part of the Lowestoft Evacuation Association group visit, organised by Chris Brooks. Bryan enjoyed revisiting places he knew as a boy.
“On one such trip Bryan rekindled a friendship with the late Ian Webster. Ian’s parents, Mr and Mrs Horace Webster, had provided one of the homes in which Bryan had stayed.
“He then became a regular participant in the annual reunion trips to Glossop.
“In 2017, a special event took place at Glossop Railway Station to mark the historic links between the two towns.
“A plaque was unveiled at the station in the company of former evacuees and guests. Bryan and Alma Minghay did the honours of unveiling the plaque on the day. A task he did with pride!
“Bryan was unassuming by nature, but kind by nature and deed. Friends of Glossop Station have been very grateful of his support with our projects to ensure that the story of the evacuation lives on.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and friends at the Lowestoft Evacuee Association.”
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