大象传媒

This story has been added to the People's War website by Helen Jubb on behalf of the contributor with his niece, Mrs. Illingworth's permission.

Pte. K. Tillotson of 22 Prospect St., Windhill, has recently had the job of his life. He is serving as cook with a Scottish regiment on the Continent and has lately had the task of preparing a party for over 800 children. On one day alone he baked over 1,500 cakes and the party lasted for three days.

Having determined give a party at which every child in the village should be present, the 鈥淛ocks鈥� set about finding out how many children to cater for. They expected about 200, but found the population so swelled by evacuation from other war areas that the final figure was over 800.This did not deter them from keeping their promise, but they had to hold the party in relays over a period of three days.

The meal, the main item on the agenda, included a wonderful array of iced cakes and pastries, and it had only been possible to provide so many because the troops and given up a part of their own rations. They were well repaid when they saw the way the cakes and sandwiches disappeared. During the meal and while the children were arriving music was provided on a piano accordion and by a piper parading in kilts up and down the length of the tables. Afterwards the rations they had been unable to eat were wrapped up and they were able to take them home. They then saw a short film show, including Mickey Mouse and Popeye cartoons. Many of the children had never seen a film before and most of them were seeing white bread for the first time.

On the last day of the party the troops were thanked by the local priest and the four chief organisers of the party were presented with a souvenir booklet by a little girl of the village. Pte. Tillotson was one of these.

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