大象传媒

Nutley village, being on the southern part of the Ashdown Forest was alive with army units during the war. The army used the forest extensively as a training and settlement area. Part of Nutley Garage, which was owned and run by my family, was taken over by the W.D. in 1940 for the purpose of using the petrol storage and pumps for refuelling Army Transport vehicles.

Of great enjoyment to the children of Nutley and the surrounding area were the parties which were held at the Canadian Army camp at the Isle of Thorns. A lot of the food that was sent over was sent over by the families of the soldiers stationed there plus added to from their own rations. There were also at Christmas ones' presents for all the children - some of them such as model tanks, guns etc. were made by the troops themselves.

These were some of the more happier days of the war and the troops received grateful thanks from our parents.

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Helena Noifeld of 大象传媒 Radio Kent and has been added to the website on behalf of David Joseph Ridley with his permission. He fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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