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My father, Squadron Leader John Samuel Herring, born in Middlesex, was in the Royal Air Force, based in Rhodesia, during the Second World War war.

One of his duties was seeing to the needs of refugees/evacuees and internees flown out to Africa.

Two Polish children arrived on a flight of refugees in Northern Rhodesia — now Zambia. They were described as ‘orphans’ as their mother had fallen on the road during the march out of Poland. The soldiers had told the girls that their mother was dead and had forced them to walk on. Their names were Anna and Ola.

When my father learnt of their plight he arranged to stand Guarantor for them and they were welcomed into our home where my parents and sisters helped to ease their trauma. They went to school along with my older sisters.

Some time later my father discovered their mother along with other refugees. She had survived the long march and by pure chance went to Northern Rhodesia where my father recognised her name and there was a joyful reunion, and a strong friendship formed. They joined in the celebrations when I was born and given the name Veronica Elizabeth to celebrate VE Day.

Through the years that followed my father became their financial adviser, as by now he had changed his profession and become an accountant. Both girls became very successful restaurant owners. Their mother set up a successful dressmaking business and lived well into her 90’s. When she gave up dressmaking she used to help he youngest daughter in the kitchen of the busy restaurant. She was a remarkable lady.

My father was recognised for his war service and received a Military MBE from King George VI.

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Jacci Phillips of the CSV Action Desk at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Hereford and Worcester on behalf of Veronica Elizabeth Madgen and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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