大象传媒

Wilma鈥檚 21st Birthday Party 1945 (at the time of liberation, Holland)

鈥淭his story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by volunteer Anita Howard from the Essex Action Desk CSV on behalf of Wilhelmina Cook and has been added to the site with her permission. She fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.鈥�

鈥淚 lived in Eindhoven, Holland and in 1940 the Germans invaded Holland. Things changed very quickly. Our stores of food were taken by the occupiers to Germany. Curfews meant that we could not go out when we wanted. Everyone had to hand in their radios so we could not hear the British news.
Fortunately my father had just bought a new radio. He dug a hole in the scullery floor and lined it. We hid the radio, put back the tiles and covered the floor with a rug. Every evening we listened to the 大象传媒. Fortunately the radio was never discovered.

Although things had changed and times were hard, we still had fun. We only had a few hours light and heat per week so we decided to take turns in having our neighbours come together so we could save on electricity and coal. This meant we only had two or three days without heating and light. It worked a treat.

At our house I used to play my piano. Everybody sang and even danced on the carpet. One of our neighbours had a gramophone which he brought with him every time we met together so that I could also dance.
However as time went on we had less and less to eat and we lost the desire to dance as we were so weak. We sat and talked and wondered how we could go on. Many people died or were very ill through lack of food or medication. However we were beginning to hear that the British and American forces had landed in France and seemed to be holding their ground. This news cheered us up and we hoped and prayed that they would succeed.

The change in people was terrific with the hope that the war was at last coming to an end. We even started to sing and make jokes about the Germans. However I decided to make a new dress, come what may. I asked my mother for one of her white sheets in order to make a celebration dress. It took some time but I finished it just before liberation. From ribbons I made the British, American and Dutch flags.
The Dutch flag was small so I put it at the top of the dress whilst the other two flags covered the skirt pockets. It looked good and I kept it for years as a souvenir.

A few months later we gathered in the streets as we had heard rumours that the American troops were in Belgium and were on their way to Holland. We danced and sang as much as we could. Several young lads cycled like mad shouting, 鈥� The Americans are coming.鈥� A few minutes later we saw the first tanks arrive. We climbed on the tanks and the soldiers gave us sandwiches, drinks, chocolates and sweets.
What a feast! We sang and danced in the streets, then I felt unwell and I was violently sick. It was of course due to the rich chocolate after a frugal diet. Unfortunately the Americans could not stay as they were on route to Germany. Two days later the British forces arrived and stayed a fortnight.

Opposite our house were two coal sheds which were empty of so we asked the owners if we could use them to have a dance party. They agreed, IF they were invited. Of course we said 鈥測es.鈥�
The Tommies had their tents just behind those sheds. All the young people came to help clean them up and we decorated them with flowers from the fields. We were elated. The soldiers brought us food and drinks. For me the party was especially great as it was to be my 21st birthday on the following day. Everyone decided the party would be for me so they brought little gifts. Tiny jewels, books, a little money and lovely bunches of flowers.

We started the party that evening and it continued until the following morning. The soldiers were invited. Most of them could come and several officers as well. Three of them brought musical instruments- two accordions and a saxophone. We also had a gramophone and records so that the soldiers did not have to play all the time. We went home to wash and change and I wore my 鈥渇lag鈥� dress which everyone said was a good idea. Although most of us had little strength, the excitement kept us dancing until 4am. We were so exhausted that we fell on the floor.

We then decided that as it was now my 21st birthday we would carry on at 6pm that night. Everybody turned up again with more soldiers and food and we danced and partied till 4am when we all fell asleep. At 8am the Army Officer woke us up as it was time for the soldiers to return on duty and we went to bed. What a lovely birthday.

I鈥檝e never forgotten it. I still feel like saying a big 鈥渢hank you鈥� to our brave, helpful soldiers from England.

Wilhelmina Cook D.O.B. 20.9.1923

1.11.2005

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