- Contributed byÌý
- ´óÏó´«Ã½ @ The Living Museum
- People in story:Ìý
- Daphne Clarke née Smith
- Location of story:Ìý
- Normandy, France
- Article ID:Ìý
- A4415483
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 10 July 2005
This story was submitted to the Peoples’ War site by Katherine Campbell of WW2 People's War Team, on behalf of Daphne Smith and has been added to the site with her permission. Daphne Clarke fully understands the site’s terms and conditions
We were the first group of ATS to be sent to Normandy in August 1944. I was doind clerical work at the educational branch there. I first found out about the invasion plans a few months before but of course nobody know the exact date of the Second Front. We were under canvas, working for HQ 21 Army Group (Rear). We were sending broadsheets to the different groups and divisions, giving them the latest news from home, telling them how the battle was going. There was still fierce fighting round the Falaise Gap. When Brussels was liberated, we left Normandy and set up HQ - we were billeted in the former Gestapo headquarters. The people of Brussels welcomed us with open arms and they shared their meagre rations with us, inviting us into their homes. We were there on VE Day when there was wild rejoicing.
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