大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War website by Doreen Bennett on behalf of Barbara Diston, the author and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

A SPECIAL DAY OUT

I was stationed at Ruislip when we were asked if we were interested in forming a WAAF Central Band, and in due course the band was formed under the directorship of a Band Master who came from Uxbridge to train us. We formed a drum and pipe band and turned out to march down the streets of Ruislip and attend other events.

All went well until the fateful day when many of us were relocated to Barnwoood in Gloucestershire. It meant our band had to be dissolved.

As a mark of recognition we were given the privilege of wearing a replica of our instruments on the wristband of our uniform and were also to be taken to Windsor Castle for a day out.

We duly set out one Sunday morning. As we entered the grounds an American soldier said "We really enjoyed it that but we didn鈥檛 see the King - I think he was playing golf". We acknowledged him and moved on. My colleague and I were interested in the shrubs overhanging the wall and at one point we were able to view the golfers, my colleague said "I think that is the King walking across the green". "Don鈥檛 be silly" I said, "He wouldn鈥檛 be carrying his own clubs" and with that I leaned over the wall.

There below me sat the King, Queen, and the Princesses with their dogs. The King was laughing and I turned to my colleague and said "Florence he is here and he has heard us". Indeed he had and he stood up and faced us and asked how we had enjoyed our visit and where we were stationed. Realising that something was going on other people began to join us and soon there was a large crowd around us, cameras were clicking and the King and Queen continued to talk to more and more people. Eventually they moved away, turning and waving as they went.

It had been a wonderful day. Although I was exhilarated, I couldn鈥檛 help thinking that somehow I had spoilt for them a precious Sunday.

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