Posted online: Aug 11th, 2010

By Frank Craig
reporter

Joseph Hearl was only ten years old when he was hastily removed from his Scottish abode in Greenock, and ferried to the sanctuary of Ardara to escape the devastating bomb raids of Word War II.

Andy McNelis and his family opened their door to Joseph, his mother and his brother at their home in Brackey, located just outside the town.

That was in 1944 and last week, Joseph took the opportunity to return to Ardara to retrace that experience with his daughter, Joanne.

Now 76, Joseph remembers a very different town, but he insisted that the unmistakable silhouette of the Brackey hills was exactly how he left them.

“There was definitely a lot less houses, but the cottage I stayed in hasn’t changed much at all,” recalls Joseph.

“It was a very enjoyable experience, back then and this time around. It was such a happy time that I returned once previously in 1949 for a fortnight’s holiday.

“To get away from that (German blitzes) was such a relief. My mother felt that it was too dangerous for us and she took the decision to get out.”

The family spent eighteen months of blissful refuge helping out in-and-around their adopted home and on the farm itself. Joseph remembers it as a mutually beneficial experience.

He and his family were glad of the safety that the McNelis family afforded them, while Andy, the head of the McNelis household, was equally appreciative of the extra pairs of hands that two young Scottish lads offered.

The family soon settled in to life in their new quiet and remote setting; a place that was as far removed as possible from the scenes of destruction and death that they had just departed.

However, a year and a half passed and the family took the decision to return to Greenock, located along the River Clyde.

“A lot of the houses were flattened and it was a terrible sight. None of my family was killed but it was still very hard to take in,” Joseph continued. “It (returning to Ardara) was something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time and it was very emotional.

“It’s funny what you remember. They (host family) kept trying to get me to go to school but I kept juking out at playtime and running way! I’d say that hasn’t changed much since then!”

The trip was made possible after Joanne had initially contacted Ardara.ie seeking assistance. Web administrator John McConnell was then able to help the Hearls locate the McNelis household where Joseph had first visited over 66 years previously.