大象传媒

Churchill at the Ritz

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I left school at 14 in 1943 and spent three months at 1, Albemarle St, Piccadilly learning how to use a calculating machine (sumlock). From the window we looked directly onto the Ritz Hotel and often watched Churchill going in for breakfast or lunch.

I then went to work for de Havilland aircraft factory which produced the Mosquito. The factory was in Waring & Gillows depository in Hanger Lane, just outside Acton. The offices looked down on the aircraft being built. Six months later I moved to Greatham between Liss and Liphook because the doodlebug raids had begun and I went to work on 4/4/44 for R.F.D. in Stoke Road, Guildford, who made rubber dinghies and barrage balloons.

At the end of the war in Europe it was wonderful to see the men sent on leave prior to demob. A very romantic time for a 16 year old. RFD, Godalming, held dances for the staff and invited Canadians who were stationed locally. I was dancing with one young man and very nervous. I looked at my feet so much that he said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 worry honey, I鈥檒l guide you.鈥�

He didn鈥檛 know I鈥檇 seen a film starring Jean Crane where her knickers fell down when she was dancing. I was wearing French knickers for the first time.

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