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Joyce Brache née Stacey interviewed for Radio Guernsey. Transcribed from CD by John David 28/11/05

I………. We would just like to hear what things were like during the Occupation, I know Molly was interested to hear about you helping the Red Cross, and other people just want to hear what it was like.
I didn’t do a lot for the Red Cross, just because I was doing parcels because I worked for Le Riche, you see, that’s why I couldn’t do any business with Molly, I thought ‘that’s fine, I’ve done my bit’, and then I had this phone call, on Friday.
I………. We begged you to come and talk to us
I know
I………. You’ve brought a book with you, with a picture of you in it.
Yes, that’s a school book, so I go down in history, as you might say, that’s in the school library, I presume.
I………. The caption on this picture says’ The Vega made several visits to the islands, bringing food and other much-needed supplies. Distribution of the parcels was very carefully checked, to ensure that everyone had their share’. And this is you, with the parcel in your hands?
Yes, but I was very disillusioned with that photograph, because up to that age, I think I was about eighteen, I thought all the pictures that went in the paper were just as they were, you know, but that picture put me right off because in front of me I had my boss, Mr Brenell, who was in charge of Le Riches, next him the secretary, Miss Mathams, and the gentleman to one side was outside, with the cars and that, you know, and one is a traveller, Mr Miller, and there was me, we were all behind bars, as you might say, with the shop closed.
I………. But you look very young
I wish I could go back there
I………. So when the Red Cross parcels came, did you have one as well, your family?
We all had one!
I………. Even thought you had perhaps more food than some others?
That didn’t make any difference. Everybody had the same. We had black bread. I went out to some friends out St Saviours, and I was going to work the next morning, and somebody came down the hill, down by the Dos d’Ane, with these beautiful white breads, we hadn’t seen anything like that for four or five years, because we’d had black bread, and only a little salt. We were so grateful for anything.
I………. I suppose there was some chocolate in the Red Cross parcels, was there?
Yes, that’s the first we had, you see. We never had any of those things. I’ve made up for it since!
I………. And was there Klim in there as well? Klim milk?
Yes, dried milk.

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