大象传媒

This story has been added to the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Volunteer Kate Langdon on behalf of the author Connie Garret, who understands the terms and conditions of the site.

A happy childhood memory, touched with a little sadness, as it's only my memory to recall this little story. Sadly my parents and sister who were involved are no longer with us.

It was late November early December of 1942, at Tregonce Farm, St Issey. Our farmland went right down to the seashore. On one particular day when my father, William Hawkins, went out into the field to bring the cows up for milking, he spotted some wooden crates being washed in on the incoming tide. Dad went down to investigate and pulled the crates out of the water to find they were all labelled Oranges - Address to Princess Chula - the place name I can't recall. He brought the cows up to the milking parlour, took out the old green three wheel Go-Cart and went back to load the crates.

How excited my sister Estelle and I were. We could see the oranges through the broken wood and eager for the crates to be open. My mother thought we shouldn't, that they should be handed over and delivered to the rightful owner. Dad said, "Finders keepers and what's good enough for Princess Chula is good enough for our children. It's a real Christmas treat."

The next day Estelle and I both had the day off school to help wash and clean the oranges. Having spent the whole day sorting out the good from the bad we were told we had to share them with two other families in the neighbourhood. My sister and I didn't go much on that idea at the time.

In later years I've thought many times of how the crates went into the sea. Was it a storm and the container washed overboard, or was the ship damaged in enemy action. What about the men on it. Did they give their everything bringing supplies to our country.

My father had an exceptional memory. IF ONLY I had asked and remembered more of the details stamped on the crates. I can still so vividly remember the taste of those oranges and in my growing years at times feel a touch of guilt. Only hope the Princess would have forgiven us.

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