It’s not every day you can say you’ve met a World War II evacuee. Andrew Osborne is an Old Manwoodian who joined the school in September 1941, when it had already been relocated to Carmarthen in south-west Wales. At 95 years old, he is one of the few remaining Manwoodians to have experienced life as an evacuee and his memories of those days are as sharp as if it were yesterday! The evening will start with some historical context about the evacuation of Manwood’s in 1940, set against the German invasion of Belgium and France. Andrew will talk about his experience of joining Manwood’s in 1941, what life was like as an evacuee, and then the return of the school to Sandwich for the start of term in January 1945. There will also be a chance to put your questions to Andrew about his experiences.

This event will take place in the School Hall of Sir Roger Manwood’s School (entrance on Manwood’s Road CT13 9JX). Doors will open at 7.00pm and the event will start at 7.30pm. The Friends of Manwood’s (our parental association) will be selling refreshments before the event and during the interval and we will finish at around 9.00, after a Q&A session.

All proceeds will go towards our fundraising for the refurbishment of The Grange (our sixth form centre and former boarding house) – a project that is due to be completed in 2027.