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This story was added to the People’s War website by Helen Pritchard on behalf of Maureen Shallcross and Margaret Watson who fully understand the site’s terms and conditions.

Quite a few regiments were based in Chester-le-Street, at Horner’s Sweet Factory. We had some billeted in our pub, The Crown Inn. These two young Canadian men were billeted with us. Their names were Ivan and Johnny. We don’t know their surnames because we were very young. They could arrive anytime — in the middle of the night even. One memorable time, it was Christmas time I think; we came downstairs and found a big box. This happened regularly, every time they arrived. Inside were American comics, lots of sweets, including Lifesavers (now known as Polos), bubblegum of course, chiclets. By that time it was something like 1942 and we were five or six so we appreciated them. They were from an ambulance core.
I think Johnny was killed first…and then Ivan. Johnny was killed whilst out looking for a chicken for Christmas lunch, in France. Ivan was killed in the ambulance, as far as we heard.

We have tried to find out where they are buried but because of not knowing their surnames it was impossible.

The other soldiers were billeted on what was called Shaky Downs (sleeping bags) but these boys were in bedrooms. Ivan was probably in his mid twenties. Johnny was probably twenty. They had a key for the front door and were in England regularly. They were such nice people.

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