大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the site by the 大象传媒's Peoples War Team in the East Midlands with Betty Edmonds permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions"

We were a fortunate family. We had an Austin 8 car. Petrol was rationed so Mum and Dad saved coupons so that we could take a picnic into nearby countryside on an occasional Sunday if it was fine. Dad was a fire engine driver so it had to be an off duty day. My Mum did Dad鈥檚 civilian job 鈥� Prudential Agent. Great Grandma Johnson lived with us.

We usually went to Sherwood Forest area taking a picnic. Dad would watch cricket at Edwinstowe. We played ball games. Grandma took her knitting everywhere 鈥� she knitted socks for servicemen.

One particular Sunday stands out in my memory. I was about 6 or 7 I guess.

We had a great dad. We drove back through the trees and I think Dad must have followed a wrong road for suddenly I remember seeing two soldiers , guns pointed at our little car on the road. I banged my chin as Dad braked. Grandma, who was as deaf as a post, dropped her handbag 鈥� a large capacious object which seemed to hold EVERYTHING both unimaginable and non-unimaginable 鈥� as well as knitting! Dad got out of the car, Mum looked at my chin, I had silent tears and Grandma nodded off!

The soldiers approached and asked for our identity cards. I apparently said Mum had mine. The tension was released and I was given a big sweet by a soldier. Mum produced our cards and asked Grandma for hers. Being deaf and awakened from her nod, it took a while to ferret in her bag . Did she produce a card? Oh no, she thought the soldier needed a sweet and gave him a Nuttall Mint.

Grandma had changed purses and forgotten her card. Dad said the soldier whispered to him 鈥淕ood luck mate. You need a medal. She must be genuine鈥�.

We were told to drive slowly straight ahead then fork left. As we moved, tanks had inched forward from the trees, guns pointed at out little car and followed us as we moved off.

We had a quiet journey home 鈥� Grandma sucked a Nuttall Mint and I held my chin. We never took the wrong road again.

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