PEOPLE from all over the country were desperate to reach families in Sheppey.

When they arrived at Victoria Station in London, they saw placards declaring that hundreds of people had died in the south coast floods.

Musician Bill Hogben, trying to make his way home from an army base at Kneller Hall, Twickenham, was confronted by such a notice and was unable to contact his family in Hope Street, Sheerness.

"The deaths had actually occurred at Canvey Island," he said. "The death toll there was estimated at 200, with more than 500 missing, and at least 12 families had to be rescued from roof tops.

"But in Sheppey there were no deaths. I had compassionate leave to be with my parents and made the journey partly by train, boat and lorry."