大象传媒

Have you ever had a double date? Well to my shame I did! Bill, who was introduced earlier, was stationed in Exeter so I wasn't able to see him often. If his officer, Major I believe, was visiting Torquay, Bill would then drive him down to the Imperial, and have the evening free. We would go out for a meal, choosing carefully where to eat and get the best value for the rare treat. The menu, no matter where you went was a fixed price, so some places gave a good return for your money, while others put on lots of extras which never seemed to reflect the contents of the meal. (A cover charge was often added, what it actually covered is still a mystery.) This was rationing at it's best, and it's worst. Sometimes we would go to the cinema or the theatre, or just have a nice time at home listening to the wireless and chatting to my parents. Today's teenagers would look at that statement with great amusement I know, but that's how we were, a kiss and a cuddle was all that we enjoyed and hoped for!! This particular day I had expected a 'phone call from Bill as I knew there was a play being produced at our local theatre that we both hoped to see. But no call came. Meantime I had met Bernard Saret (original name Saretsky). He was a really nice fellow, quiet, and missing his father. Not very good looking, in fact he resembled 'Doberman' who was a character in 'Sergeant Bilko'! Bernard had tickets for his play (which I can't remember now) so off we went to the theatre. After we'd left home, Bill turned up and was directed diplomatically by my mother to the playhouse! That evening I sat in the theatre with Bill on my right and Bernard on my left. As one offered chocolates, the other suggested cigarettes, American of course, sweets were rationed, 4ozs a week I think, and cigarettes were often 'under the counter'! Luckily they were both nice chaps and saw the funny side of the situation. I often wonder what happened to Bernard, he was of Russian extraction and although he had been born in the States his father and late mother were Russian born. He was so longing for the war to end so he could return home. Bill I know survived the war, but I believe died 4 or 5 years ago. There were many lovely G.I's that I met during those turbulent times, they came from all walks of life. Don Sleight was a good friend, he was engaged to a girl in the States, and was totally loyal to her. He came for Sunday roast quite often, and we went to the cinema and theatre. I wrote to his mother for many years, and after her death continued to write to Don's sister who left East Lansing to live in Washington. Larry Belgrade came from New York and was married, his wife was beautiful, and he adored her. Claude le Ferrier, whose parents were immigrants from France, was a sailor, and he did dance well! Woody Wiseman came from the Deep South, dark and handsome, and was also a wonderful dancer. Fancy being able to remember the names, oh dear! I could go on and on!!! Every young American I met was a credit to his country, great fun to know, and very generous. Meeting these young boys gave me valuable knowledge of the American Continent, and my geography improved! I remember them all with gratitude.

There are many more anecdotes of my teenage during the war, but for now I'm stopping for a breather. No doubt I will put a few more stories of the turbulent days of the years 1939 (when I was 13) to 1945 (when I was 19) on record for the family to giggle over!!

I think I ought to put on record that it wasn't all frivolity, for instance when going to the St Luke's Church Hall dances, we had spent the early evening working hard in the canteen, firstly peeling potatoes (a chore I did very rarely at home) then cooking food for the R.A.F. cadets and serving them with a few snacks. Of course we had our favourites, and they miraculously had jam in their doughnuts!! (Jam being on ration and scarce). In August 1942 my home was bombed and almost completely destroyed. Luckily no-one was in the house at the time, my brother and I were on holiday with our Aunt Ann in Surrey, my Mother had gone out to tea with an old friend and my Father had completed his day's work and gone out! The bombing occurred before the 'Yanks' arrived and I was 'homeless' for about six months, staying at various friends' homes until we managed to get another dwelling.

During the war, although I WANTED to be a WREN, I was in a reserved occupation and not permitted to join up. I was a dental nurse for the School dentist and we visited the schools in and around Newton Abbot and as far as Haytor!!

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