About the contributor

Wartime Memories

By Rosemary Horrell (born 1941)

Although my memories are somewhat second-hand, they may still be of interest.

My father joined up in about June 1939, he wanted to be in the Royal Army Service Corps and did not want to wait for conscription when he could have been sent to the ordinary ranks. He drove large army lorries and was also a driving instructor for these. (We have the papers with all the driving and maintenance instructions).He was away with his unit when war was declared. He phoned my mother who he was courting to say that he would not be able to see her before he left the country for France , the only leave that was being granted was leave to get married. My mother who could make a quick decision responded with ’Well lets get married then). This phone call was on Monday evening11th or Tuesday morning 12th September. Mum went to Exeter to get a Special Licence which was needed if the bans could not be called for three weeks before a wedding. She arranged with the vicar to be married in Tedburn St Mary parish church on Friday 15th September at 5pm.(The time was arranged so that the guests could come out from Exeter after their days work - on the bus).She asked her two best friends to be bridesmaids - they had new dance dresses so they wore them for the ceremony. Mum bought a wedding dress, head dress and shoes and an ornament for the top of the cake. The cake had been made for Grandfather’s birthday on the 19th but was now commandeered for the wedding. Uncle Staff had a lovely row of asters in his garden so these were picked and used to make bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids. Uncle Geoff (one of Dad’s brothers ) was best man. Dick Lavers drove the wedding car.

Next day my father left very early in the morning to return to the Army and war service. He did not come home again until February for a short leave.

My father was in France when the evacuation of Dunkirk took place. He spoke of pushing the trucks which they had been using to take petrol to the front line, into the canal in Dunkirk so that the Germans could not use them. Dad came home with two good friends, one gave him his overcoat with the Sergeant’s stripes as it seemed there was a greater chance to get on a boat with a more senior uniform!!!!! He remembers bombs dropping near the boat and the boat lifting in the air. He was so glad of the support of the Spitfires. When he reached England he (like all those who returned) was allowed one phone call - so of course he phoned my Mum and told her that his unit was being sent to Northampton. Once more Mum took a quick decision and said “I’m coming, meet me at the station in the morning “ She caught the bus to Exeter at around 7pm then the train to London (Waterloo or Paddington), she obviously arrived there very late at night but nevertheless someone helped her with her case as she crossed to Kings Cross by tube to catch the train to Northampton. Dad was unable to be there when she arrived but came as soon as he could. They went to find somewhere that Mum could stay and found a room in a house at 29 Sheep Street. Dad also stayed there one or two nights and his pals answered the roll call for him!! This was in late May ,early June 1940. I was born on 6th March 1941- so perhaps I should be grateful that Mr Hitler drove the British out of France or I may not be here .