91Èȱ¬

During the early months in 1940 I was attending Agricultural College in Studley, Warwickshire and I was engaged to a New Zealander whom I later married. When the British soldiers were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk there was much speculation that Germany would also invade Britain. My fiancé was so concerned that I should be able to defend myself in that event that he gave me a revolver with one bullet in it!
I was afraid of firearms at the best of times so I hid this revolver in the trunk under my bed. As it was loaded I was concerned at the thought of keeping it, so I coerced a friend to help me fire the revolver safely. We went to a17 acre field nearby, which had a large pool in the middle, and for the very first (and last) time in my life I fired the gun into the water. I felt better straightaway, and had peace of mind again!

Sheila Thompson, (nee Howlett)

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