大象传媒

FIRST LOVE ONLY LOVE
Guernsey 194O. In January troops that had been stationed in Alderney were posted to Fort George. My husband to be among them. Meeting my husband to be happened purely by chance. Even though I was only 14 years I had a date with a Cpl. Frank Foulkes was his name. However Frank was placed on guard duty on the night of our date. He didn鈥檛 want to leave me standing, he sent an envoy, Raymond Pinchin. He introduced himself and we chatted for a while. He then invited me to join him for egg and chips in the Popular Caf茅. I turned his offer down, but as he seemed a nice boy I thought that I would wait outside for him. He was surprised to find me still there, we talked for a while he then walked me home. My mother was very strict and I had to be in the house by 9pm. After that our friendship blossomed and we dated regularly. I told a fib here, I said my age was 16 years.
On my birthday,19/6/40, all the troops (341 M.G.T.C) left Guernsey. Shortly after my sister and I were evacuated to Manchester. We were billeted with a Manchester lady, and from the start were not very happy. As soon as we found work we rented our own digs in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy.
One day I was approached by a lad who had been stationed in Guernsey. He knew Cpl. Pinchin and would let him know where I was living and that I was well. This he did consequently we got in touch again.
After a few months I got itchy feet and decided to join the W.A.A.F. I was now 16 years old but put my age on by two years and enlisted. (11/8/41)and was trained as a telephone operator. Raymond had been posted to N. Africa and from there to Sicily. When the Sicilian campaign ended his unit returned to Blighty. I managed to get a couple of weeks leave at the same time as Raymond and we went to Evesham, his home town.
He popped the question and I accepted. His Mother took over all the preparations, and Ray and I had to go to Worcester and see the Bishop of Worcester and ask for a special licence. This was granted and we set a date for 20/11/43.
The wedding was a real war-time do. Very little money, not much food and really short of drinks. Ray鈥檚 brother was best man and his sister Nancy was maid of honour. Ray鈥檚 sister in law, Nancy, lent me a wedding dress. There was no honeymoon but a lovely two weeks was enjoyed by Bride and Groom.
Even war can have a few happy moments. Mine have lasted 62 years to date.
GWENDA PINCHIN nee SMITH.

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