navy week 1942

Resplendent in my Girl Guide uniform dress of dark blue cotton, a polished leather belt with loops for securing all kinds of camping equipment, never used, a chrome buckle with a girl guide emblem, and my pale blue triangular tie folded and knotted exactly right, I stood solemnly to attention in the assembled 1st Hampton Hill Girl Guide Company at a special local parade marking Navy Week. On the back of the photograph recording this memorable occasion, my father wrote "Navy Week, Hampton Hill, 1942. Pat, aged 11 year". I would like to say "Ah yes, I remember it well." Unfortunately my memory of this obviously important day is somewhat hazy. But I can still feel sympathy for our Captain in all her finery standing at the front of the mock up a splended boat, as she struggled to establish law and order to a group of giggling schoolgirls. She took her responsibilities seriously. Sadly, many of her charges did not, myself amongst them. The whistle dangling from her lanyard was constantly used, its shrill blast penetrating the noise of her guides. Noticeably, hardly a smile shows on any faces in the photograph. I imagine that we had received a pre-march briefing on the seriousness of this ceremonious occasion before setting off through the streets of Hampton Hill to our venue, a large home alongside the green at Hampton Court.

Youth groups from a wide area gathered for fun and games. As we entered the house a large sign was pinned to each of our backs, each with a different name. The object of the exercise was to find the right partner by asking relevant questions - Jack looked for Jill, Peter Pan look for Wendy - a good way to get shy youngsters mingling. I was aptly named Tweedle Dum. Looking at myself in my wide brimmed felt hat pulled well down over my forehead, I have no doube that the organizer felt she had made a wise choice of names! Perhaps Tweedle Dee took one look at me and decided he had no desire whatsoever to be my other half! I sought him here and sought him there, asked all the right questions, but never found him!

Where are all my guide colleagues now, I wonder.

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