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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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Return from Dunkirk: Reminisces of a Hotel Maid in Wiltshire

by ritarowley

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Contributed by听
ritarowley
People in story:听
Rita Rowley
Location of story:听
Ludgershall, Wiltshire
Article ID:听
A2400562
Contributed on:听
08 March 2004

I was nearly 17 when the troops came back from Dunkirk. I was working as a maid in the only hotel in Ludgershall , Wiltshire, a few miles from the garrison town of Tidworth, which was the trops final destination.
I shall never forget the sight of the street full of these poor souls. They were so tired and hungry and still had to walk or find a way back to barracks . They poured into the hotel and sat or laid on the floor. We cooked them bacon and eggs well into the night although some were so tired they just slept wherever they could. Luckily there was a grocers shop opposite the hotel from where we were able to get our fresh supplies.
The hotel was called the 'Prince of Wales' (long since pulled down) and was run by a retired army officer, Captain Draper and his wife.
I had moved down to a small village about 4 miles from Ludgershall from London with my family and grandparents, which was fate I suppose as our house in London took a direct hit and the people who were renting the house from my father were all killed.
I am 80 this year but will never forget those poor exhausted troops.

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These messages were added to this story by site members between June 2003 and January 2006. It is no longer possible to leave messages here. Find out more about the site contributors.

Message 1 - A2400562 - Return from Dunkirk

Posted on: 09 March 2004 by generousyorkie

I sometimes wondwer if all the effort of WW2 was worth it. We fougth to keep Britsin free yet subsequent governments have just given Britasin away. It is no longer ruled from Westminster but from brussells. Brition is now mongrelised by exootic migrants, is this what the lads intended when they besat Hitler and the Japs?.
Britain I love you but oh, what has happened to oyu? Valle Brittannia.
Doug Jacques at yorkie@tsn.cc
Would be interested in hearing from anyomne who shares my views.
Doug Jacques.

Message 1 - Ludgershall

Posted on: 09 March 2004 by Touchstone

Ludgershall brings back many memories
playing skittles!

I did work for a while at The David Bruce Labs (RAMC)at East Everliegh.(in the forest) The lab is now closed down and no longer a secret, but we made Smallpox and such stuff to incapacite the German economy if required (WW2)

Regards

Touchstone's brother

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