- 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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