大象传媒

I was born on 21st December 1939 and started school at four and a half. In the winter of 44/45 all the names of the kids at my school, Franche Church of England Primary School were put into a hat and the lucky ones drawn out were taken to a Christmas party.

This was held at what was then the American Army Hospital in Wolverley. (It later became the Royal Army Pay Corp after the war.) we were bussed up to the hospital and taken to the canteen for the biggest party I had ever seen!

There were things I had never even seen before, such as fruit and ice-cream. The soldiers served us all this lovely stuff, bananas, oranges, apples and so many different types of ice-cream. It was absolutely mouth watering!

Then came the big moment.... Santa Claus, Father Christmas!! He came in with his big sack weighing him down and an American accent! We were sent up one by one to plunge our hands into the sack to draw out a present. Unfortunately I can't now remember what my present was but I do remember being very happy with it.

After the festivities we were all taken into the wards to visit the wounded American soldiers in their beds. I remember going over to one soldiers bed. He was half sat up in bed with his chest heavily bandaged but he managed to stretch over and pluck me off the floor and sit me on his front to talk to me. He said, 'Whadya think of them Japs?' well of course I had never heard of 'them Japs' so I said, not wanting to upset him, 'Well they're alright!' they all laughed so I thought I must have given him the right answer!

Soon after that the evening ended and I know I had a wonderful time.

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Jacci Phillips of the CSV Action Desk at 大象传媒 Hereford and Worcester on behalf of John baker and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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