大象传媒

Around 1943 when the Americans were based in the Norfolk area, many from Hethel would use the local pubs, beer being rationed and pubs only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Americans would drink the nearest pub dry on a Friday and carry on through local villages mainly to other pubs. This is how our family entertained James Stewart for approximately six weeks for Sunday lunch.

James Stewart, his second in command, plus staff sergeant/batman-come-body guard were cycling past our cottage to the West End public house at Saxlingham Thorpe one Sunday morning. One of the three got a puncture. They had no idea how to mend it or any tools to do so. They spotted me (aged 9) by my gate and asked if anyone could help. I knew that my father could do the job even if I could not and the three left their cycles.

They returned about 2:15 pm and knocked at the front door. My grandma answered. The aroma of Sunday lunch roast beef was apparent, whereupon my grandmother invited the gentlemen to lunch with us. They were most delighted so we had sweets, oranges and tinned fruit etc. for six weeks. I was given a 拢5 note for mending the puncture. My father took care of this. It was more than his weekly wage.

James Stewart was sent from Tibenham, his command base, to Hethel for this short period'incognito'with the other two gents. I only knew this by turning the bike upside down which had two pannier bags and out dropped numerous items including his dog tags. I still did not realise he was famous, so the name meant nothing. I still have a photo taken by the staff sergeant of my grandparents at the cottage door. The master sergeant, a gunner, was later killed on a mission.(It was illegal for members of the public to use a camera in wartime).

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