- Contributed by听
- A7431347
- People in story:听
- Margot Shepherd, Jimmy Durrante, Glen Miller
- Location of story:听
- Martlesham Heath
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A6814749
- Contributed on:听
- 09 November 2005
In May 1940, our family lived in Paignton, S. Devon. Being an only child I lived a somewhat protected life although I did work at a bank in Newton Abbot. At the time of the evacuation of Dunkirk I answered a call to hand out tea and buns at the station to the soldiers. I was shocked to see their tired and worn out state after a sixteen hour journey across the channel. I felt it was time, 'I did my bit.'
Towards the end of the war, I caught shingles and was posted to Martlesham Heath, which was an American base. They celebrated the 1000th American bomber raid in style. It was a week long free shindig with champagne from France, turkeys and chickens from Ireland, whiskey from Scotland, crabs and lobsters from Cornwall with Jimmy Durrante (Snozzle) and his floor show for entertainment, aided by the Glen Miller Band.
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 Margot Shepherd with her permission. She fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo