- Contributed by听
- A7431347
- People in story:听
- John Edward Gilder, Edwin Howerd, Edith Howerd
- Location of story:听
- Rectory Farm, Upper Stondon, Bedfordshire
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A6026500
- Contributed on:听
- 05 October 2005
I was six years old in 1943 and staying with my Grandad and Grandma at their farm, Rectory Farm, Upper Stondon in Bedfordshire.
Grandad was working in the fields on his Fordson tractor when he saw an airman coming down towards him on a parachute. He ran across to him carrying his shotgun and challenged the airman who replied in a foreign language. Grandad thought he was German and ordered him to "Hands Up" and threatened to shoot him. He then frogmarched him back to the farm.
Grandma was very worried because she thought Grandad was going to shoot the man and it was obvious that the airman was terrified of Grandad who was in quite a temper.
There was no phone in those days and Grandma had to ride her bike to the rectory in order to phone the police. When the military police arrived it was a very relieved Polish Spitfire pilot who was very glad to see them.
Incidentally Grandad was the Air Raid Warden and I still have the sign saying Air Raid Wardens Post which was on the gate. (I keep it on our toilet door).
This story was submitted to the People's War site by Wendy Adams and has been added to the website on behalf of John Gilder and he fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
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