91�ȱ�

As told to Carol Young by her mother Gwen Beales, nee Middleton.

These were Bob’s words to mum in early May 1940. A soldier in the King’s Royal Rifle Brigade Bob had been ‘courting’ mum since his transfer to Chisledon Camp in November 1939. A postcard Bob sent from Dover 22 May 1940 told mum he ‘was on the move.’ He was badly wounded and captured at Calais and eventually after hospitalisation in France and Belgium was POW at Stalag 8B Lamsdorf. Many letters and Red Cross parcels were sent by mum — many never received. 17th May 1945 a telegram arrived - “ Arrived safe see you soon”. The street decorated for VE Day — soon had many new placards on lamp posts and banners —‘Welcome 91�ȱ� Bob!’
The next day a phone call put through to mum at the wages dept at Marine Mountings where she had worked since 1943 was her young brother telling her that Bob’s here! She remembers asking what he looked like — Bill said —‘the same but no teeth!’ Mum was frightened to go home — delayed for 2 hours — arrived finally to family gathering around table — “Hello!” she remembers saying. After tea they went for a walk — mum remembers Bob glancing over his shoulder every few minutes — a habit from years of camp living. He kept his promise — he left just before mum’s 19yh birthday and they next were together a day before her 24th! —So 5 years later they got engaged!

p.s. The morning after Bob’s arrival he went to Mr Tooth the dentist (yes Really!) in Wellington St and by the afternoon had a set of teeth given free!

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.