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This story is submitted to the People’s War site by a member of Market Harborough Branch, Royal British Legion on behalf of Dick Fulford and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Fulford fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.

A Wartime Christmas
An unusual festive ‘role’ recalled by Dick Fulford

Christmas 1940 — Aboard HM Yacht "Sister Ann" moored at the entrance to the River Fowey, Cornwall. My first draft and introduction to the Royal Navy, after 3 months of initial training. "Sister Ann" was the floating office and Wardroom of the Parent Ship for Coastal Forces Flotillas. Commander White RN Retired (very much retired) was the Captain; a very kindly old man whose one and only hobby appeared to be alcohol.

I was asked if I could use a typewriter. It was unwise to say "No" to any task in the Navy, so I was allotted my first sea-going job, to produce Christmas cards for the Captain. Someone had sent him a greeting card, and being 1940, when times were hard, it was of a basic standard and old Daddy White was eager to get it copied for his family and friends. So, armed with sundry sheets of Pusser’s toilet paper, I began one of my first naval duties — typing for the Captain on each sheet the following Christmas Greeting:

"Economy must be our watch-word this year.
Hard times we’ve undoubtedly got ‘em.
So please accept this just to wish you "good luck"
Which I do from the heart of my bottom".

It is fortunate for me that no grandchild has yet asked "What did you do in the war Grandad?"

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