大象传媒

This story has been written onto the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Storygather, Martine Knight, on behalf of Mr K H Hitchens. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.

A lighter side of my Royal Navy service and, as I cannot remember if any thanks have been expressed to the host countries where service personnel were either stationed or in transit, this is my own thanks.

A brief account of my own experience of the warmth, kindness and generosity of the Americans came about when I arrived in New York, on the RMS Aquitainia, in November 1943 to join a ship in Vancouver.
However, unfortunately (or otherwise) she had sailed for, I think, India and I spent six months at Asbury Park, New Jersey and at the naval base at Boston before she came back.

During this time any leave was filled by visits to interesting places - made possible through the American Service Clubs. On one visit to New Rochelle I met a family who had emigrated to America before WW1.

Mr Banfield, who had died, came from the Penzance area and had been, I understand, coachman to the Enys Estate at Killigordan, Idless, Truro.
I became great friends with Mrs Banfield and her daughther Mabel.
They came to stay with my family after the war.
Mabel's daughter, Edna Mae, was a member of The Rockettes at Radio City, Madison Square Gardens.

We still exchange greetings at Christmas. Long lasting friendships were probably made by others.
There is always some good, even in wartime, and it's a small world.

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