大象传媒

I visited Paris in the October of 1944 when we were offered the chance to go from our base near Caan. I had been corresponding with a French pen pal since i was at school to improve my French and Jean Fouquet was the boy I wrote to who was 2 years older than I was. He was called up when he was 18 and I carried on writing to his sister Jacqueline. After arriving in Paris i took the Metro to Mont Martre - it was free, they wouldn't let a soldier pay for the journey. I got off at the station and started looking around - when 2 huge men appeared behind me. I was a little concerned at first but when they found out I was an English soldier who spoke French they were very excited and took me from bar to bar along the street. I didn't drink beer or spirits so was drinking wine - but as I was with them for about three hours I had to switch to grape juice.
Eventually I left them to continue my search for my French pen pal as I knew they lived over looking the cemetry. I found what I hoped was their building and asked the fierce looking concierge if the Fouquet family lived there - they did on the fourth floor and I knocked on their door. Jean's mother opened the door and I introduced myself and she threw her arms around me. I was also introduced to Jaqueline who looked like a French film star but was engaged. She and her friend were gorgeous. I visited church with the family and visited them over the three days I was in the Paris.

This story was told to a People's war volunteer and the contributor fully understands the terms and conditions.

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