As the nation prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Goodson Lodge in Trowbridge is proud to honour one of its oldest and most inspiring residents: Alice Moody, a 103-year-old Blitz evacuee and teacher whose life story reflects the strength, resilience, and kindness of Britain’s wartime generation.

Alice, pictured above with her daughter Pam, was interviewed about her wartime experience by Gary Breckon (also pictured above) from BBC Points West and Charlie Taylor from BBC Radio Somerset.  Her story will be broadcast on the eve of VE Day, as part of national commemorations. 

Born in Bermondsey, London in July 1921, Alice was just 18 when the Second World War began. Driven to help change lives for the better, she trained as a teacher in the early years of the conflict and after qualifying, she started her career at Stamford Hill Boys School in Hackney. When air raids escalated during the Blitz of London by German bombers, she was evacuated alongside children from the school to Hardington Mandeville in Somerset. There, Alice continued teaching, supported local host families, and played a key role in helping evacuated children return safely to London after the war.

During her time in Somerset, Alice met her future husband, Leslie. They married in 1945 and had a daughter, Pam. After the war, Alice dedicated herself to teaching until her official retirement from Staverton C of E Primary School in Trowbridge in 1981.  But neither war, nor retirement, would stop Alice, and she continued to teach children to read on a voluntary basis. Beyond the school walls, she has also long championed social issues at both a local and national level.

Alice’s lifelong contributions to education were recognised in recent years when she received an honorary doctorate at the age of 102 from the University of Greenwich.

Alice documented her incredible experiences in a memoir, writing a book about her early life and her time during the war, offering a first-hand perspective on evacuation and wartime resilience. She said: “It was a difficult situation as an evacuee teacher. A teacher in a normal school would only be responsible for children in school time... Ok, occasionally things spilled over from home to school and sometimes from school to home. But in Hardington I was acting as a go between for the two years I was there. But thankful to say that I came across no cases of ill treatment.” 

“Alice represents the very best of her generation — brave, selfless and deeply committed to the wellbeing of others,” adds Alex Damon, Events Manager at Goodson Lodge. “We’re honoured to celebrate her remarkable life as part of our VE Day events.”

To commemorate VE Day, Goodson Lodge has planned a full day of entertainment and remembrance on Thursday 8 May. The celebrations will include a performance from a local singer, cake and refreshments, and traditional games including croquet on the lawn, carpet bowls, and a general knowledge quiz.

The care home will also be giving away a luxury picnic hamper, complete with celebratory Bucks Fizz. The winner will be drawn during the week, with the prize presented on Thursday.

Members of the local community are invited to join residents, families, and team members at the care home to mark this historic occasion.