WW2 blitz evacuee to return to Seapatrick

It was to the local village in the 1940’s that a young David Browne was taken seeking 
safety from the German air raids.

David never forgot the Noddings family with 
whom he was placed at that time, and now, 75 years on he is returning for a poignant visit - to meet the family’s grandson.

David thought the world of the Noddings family and in particular 
John Noddings, who he looked up to as a father figure.

Over the years David had been keen to locate John’s grave, but had walked several graveyards in the area all to no avail. It was in a recent effort to locate the grave however, that David was delighted to make contact with the grandson of John Noddings.

It all began when 
David’s friend, Hazel Larkham, put a post on the Facebook page ‘Banbridge’ explaining David’s quest and asking for help in locating the grave.

She said: “We would be so grateful if anyone 
has any knowledge of the family or whereabouts 
of his grave. It would 
mean a lot to our 
friend.”

Many locals were keen to assist Hazel and David and came up with a variety of suggestions, but they were delighted when through it they finally made contact with John’s grandson and grandson’s wife.

Hazel posted: “Thanks to everyone we have been able to talk to his 
Grandson’s wife. Lovely lady and so helpful.

Hazel and David plan to meet up with them in the near future, at 
which stage The Leader hopes to be able to share more of David’s story and his time as an evacuee 
in Seapatrick.