大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Milly Hartley from Community Service Volunteers, Brighton, on behalf of Mrs Jane Common, nee Fielding, and has been added to the site with her permission. Mrs J Common fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

One night my father, Loder Fielding, was on night duty for the Home Guard. He and a comrade were patrolling vulnerable places in the areas of Penshurst and Markbeech, checking for German Parachutists who could be hiding in the woods.

They were surveying the areas when suddenly they heard a rustling in the woods.
鈥� There鈥檚 a Gerry out there,鈥� Loder whispered to his comrade. They were under strict instructions to challenge any suspected intruder three times before shooting. So my father took a deep breath and authoritatively said 鈥淗alt. Who goes there?鈥�

There was no response to which he repeated the question slightly louder,
鈥淗alt who goes there?鈥� Again no response.

Loder was starting to think he would have to shoot this person if there was no response to the third questioning when suddenly there came a low moo from the creature in front of him! He was about to shoot a cow! As soon as he realised with great relief he put down his gun and laughed out loud with his comrade. When their night patrol was over they reported their findings back to head office, a cow hiding in the dark!

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