大象传媒

I have a few clear memories of the war years in Sandy, even though I was quite young then. I clearly rememebr one occasion where I was wearing a red, white, and blue dress, with red, white, and blue ribbons in my hair. I remember we were standing near a lampost opposite my grandmother's house in West Road in Sandy, and we were waving at soldiers passing by in lorries and everyone was cheering. I can't remember the reason, but assume it must have been VE day.

My father had been serving out in Africa. He drove lorries up to the front, and brought prisoners of war back. I remember we used to have a wooden peacock on our television which had been carved by an Italian prisoner of war. One day I was out playing with my friends when an army truck pulled up and a soldier got out. One of my friends called, "Elaine, there's your dad", and I ran to him for a big hug. I remember that he brought back a lot of chewing gum, which used to be kept in the front room in his kitbag. I would often sneak in there and grab some! He also brought back some material from which my mum made herself and I matching dresses.

I can also remember in Sandy that there was a lovely area where we used to collect Bluebells. I noticed that large squares had been cut into the sides. My dad explained that it was where they had parked the lorries and tanks under the trees to hide them from passing bombers.

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