大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Philippa on behalf of Mrs Rycroft and has been added to the site with her permission. Mrs Rycroft fully understands the site's terms and conditions".

I was due to get married in Devon in June 1944. My fiance was a medic in the RAF. In May I received a telephone call from him telling me that he would be seconded from his fighter squadron to join a radio unit landing with the Americans on Omaha beach on 'D' Day. He told me he was not able to leave Ibsley where his tented camp was situated and suggested that we got married immediately in Salisbury. He asked me to rearrange the wedding and find some people to attend. Having been at school in Salisbury I telegrammed the vicar of the local church that we attended. Luckily he telegrammed me back and told me he would be delighted to marry us.

I had just 3 days to arrange my wedding and it was too difficult to get any guests. My Father could not attend since he was on call in the Home Guard and my brother could not either, as he was at sea in the Navy. In the end there were just five of us - my mother, two of my fiance's sisters the vicar and the organist.

After the wedding we had 10 days honeymoon in the White Hart Hotel but my husband had to return to his canvas head quarters by bus each morning. On the 4th June my husband did not return. He tried to get a message to me that they had moved onto the landing craft in preparation for 'D' Day but I had gone out to the cinema.

I had no way of paying our hotel expenses and the fair for my train home. I had to call my father in Devon to help me out and his comment was "has he left you already". Luckily he sent a cheque that arrived the next day and I managed to pay the bills and get home safely albeit by tractor! Richard was awarded the M.C.

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