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This story was submitted to the People's War site by Elizabeth Perez of Stockport Libraries on behalf of Edna Stafford and has been added to the site with her husband Bill Stafford's permission. Bill Stafford fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

"It was generally known that in March of 1944 there was to be a move to Kingston-on-Thames, where General Eisenhower had moved. This was in readiness for D.Day. At that time the organisation was known as Allied Expeditionary Air Force (A.E.A.F.) and Gen. Eisenhower was Supreme Commander or rather Supreme Allied Commander of the A.E.A.F. in Europe and he was responsible for Operation Overlord, which was the code name for the Invasion plans.

Gen. Eisenhower's H.Q. was known as S.H.A.E.F. and we all felt very proud to be able to wear his "Flash" on our uniforms. This was a shield with a black background signifying Hitler's oppression of people and in the middle was depicted the "Sword of Liberation". Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder was at one time Air Officer C in C. Middle East, but at the end of 1943 he became Deputy Supreme Commander to Gen. Eisenhower.

On the 16th March 1944 G.C Urmston, an R.A.F. Corporal, an American Air Force Captain and myself proceeded on our way from London to Bushey Park, Kingston-on-Thames. We happened to be the first section to install itself there so the girls I had left behind were waiting to hear from me about the place. I was very happy to be in Kingston, as I had cousins living there and also it was about half an hour's journey to my home in North Cheam. There was an atmosphere of excitement about the place. The Americans had soon got the place organized and they certainly knew how to look after the welfare of the personnel. Everyone agreed, British and Americans, that Kingston was a good place to be stationed. I think there might have been mixed feelings among the civilians of Kingston as to whether they thought it was such a good idea as of course, Kingston was swamped with Americans. Gen. Eisenhower actually lived in a large house on the outskirts of Kingston. One of the most impressive sights that I shall always remember and connect with Bushey Park was the American Band, with the "flash" of S.H.A.E.F. emblazoned on the drum, and that drummer knew how to make a lot of noise. Every evening at 6 o'clock both the American and British flags were taken down from their masts by three Military Policemen, complete with white gloves and spats, and the Union Jack was taken down by three Guardsmen.

There was of course great secrecy about what was happening within the Park. In the press everyone sensed that the much talked about Second Front was soon to commence. But when it did so on that Tuesday morning of 6th June 1944, it came as a surprise. There was much activity within the camp and all day communiqués were read out over the tannoy system surrounding the camp, which enabled us to hear how Operation Overlord was progressing. We sat on our bunks thinking over the volumes of typing we had each done and now it was happening, especially when we heard place names being given in the news bulletins.

Within two years, after so many years of planning, victory was achieved, not only over the Germans but also over the Japanese. But what crimes, humiliation, bombings, degradation, poverty, slaughter of people had taken place in those years on both sides of the English Channel but far worse in Europe. The merging of the various Forces, Americans, British, Canadians, eventually driving the Germans back to their own capital with British Troops entering Berlin.

Whilst at Bushey Park I saw famous men and leaders of the Forces, both British Officers and Generals as well as members of the British Government and without exception, if any high ranking officer happened to be coming towards one, they always spoke when acknowledging the salute given them. It meant a lot to each of us who had such experiences.

It is impossible to describe everything that happened during the time spent there, but there were also raids and in particular the "doodle-bugs" were sent over and more than one fell into the Park. With the doodle-bugs, which were Hitler's latest weapon, one could see them, apart from hearing their own peculiar noise, as there was a ball of flame at the tail end and when the engine cut out. Then it was time to fling oneself onto the ground and at the same time look to see where the "plane" was coming down.

I'm sure the townsfolk of Kingston-on-Thames were quite accustomed to seeing the S.H.E.A.F. flash everywhere and to have American M.Ps. riding round the road in jeeps, especially when the Camp was to be honoured by a visit from a V.I.P. i.e. Monty or Mr Churchill. On one occasion King George VI paid a visit, Mr. Atlee and Mr Eden also attending and on another occasion the Free French Army General Gen. Leclerc attended. Of course Gen. De Gaulle was a Colonel commanding a French Tank Brigade when Germany invaded France, he escaped to London where he proclaimed himself head of the Free French, and in a few months was commanding thousands of troops. They both returned to France in triumph after D.Day and General De Gaulle was elected President.

Our own Air Chief Marshall, Sir Arthur Tedder, had his office in one of the huts and it was quite a common occurrence to see him driving his own little blue and cream sports car, with four prominent stars in front signifying his high rank and authority around the camp. Of course there were guards but somehow one did not feel intimidated by them.

During the period from March until June 1944 we had the opportunity to volunteer for overseas duty, as the Headquarters were going over at a later date. Naturally the majority of us volunteered, as we wanted to stay with Gen. Eisenhower's H.Q. and our own Section. The stipulation was that each person had to be 21 years, and of course, some of the girls were bitterly disappointed at being too young.

My friend Elsie went down to Portsmouth as did our favourite officer - G.Capt. Tom Gleave, and during the first two weeks in August 1944 flew to France. They were some of the first girls to go overseas and it was all very exciting. The rest of us waited eagerly for the first steps to be taken for us to be on our way.

Here I would like to say a few words about Elsie, within a few minutes of meeting her one could tell she was basically a happy girl with a pleasant disposition and I never tired of being in her company. We had lots of fun together. She could be described as petite with dark brown hair framing her small face, rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes with a flawless complexion. Being of small stature she inclined to sometimes being "overweight" according to her, and on one occasion I recall her standing in front of the mirror congratulating herself on becoming thinner when only a few days previously she was complaining that her skirt was tight. One could always rely on Elsie entering into the spirit of any adventure that presented itself and her friendship was highly valued. Although we went separate routes abroad, we met up again in France.

Stanmore, Middlesex
On the 2nd July 1944, another friend Iris, who came to work for the Intelligence Section soon after our arrival at Bushey Park, and myself, together with some officers and a couple of airmen, were transported to Bentley Priory, Stanmore, Middlesex. We did not want to go as we had heard several rumours about the place. However, on arriving and after the necessary reporting, we were informed that we were to be billeted in private homes. Also as these billets were some distance from the camp, we were issued with bicycles. This of course changed our attitude and I was quite looking forward to meeting my landlady.
That evening we went to meet our respective landladies. We walked down the road and the houses looked very nice and in some cases quite large. My address was the first one we came to and on knocking the door it was opened by a lady called Mrs Rogers. After formal introductions she showed me my room and I was introduced to her husband. Immediately I felt that I was lucky and the following few months were happy ones. They did not have any children of their own and may have been wondering what sort of person was going to occupy a room in their house.

We then left to go to see the home where Iris would be. This was opposite Mrs Rogers and was a very large imposing type of house standing in its own grounds. They were the first civilian billets that either of us had been into and I don't think I could ever have wished for a better one. They looked upon me as a daughter and were very interested in getting me ready to go overseas. It was a comforting thought when on the camp, that in the evening I would be returning to them. Iris was also happy in her new home and often in the evenings, Mr & Mrs Rogers would take the two of us for a cycle ride around the countryside.

After about two months or so, G.Capt. Urmston told me that I was about to go overseas to Versailles. From then on I could have as much time off as I wished. He also told me that a certain G.Capt. Humphreys was "over there" acting as the Chief Intelligence Officer and that it was very probable that I would find myself on his staff, and possibly as his typist. Things were moving……"

Sadly Edna Stafford passed away on 22 February 2004. Her husband, Bill, has requested that no further messages are left in response to her stories.

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