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This story was submitted to the People's War site by volunteer from The Chepstow Society on behalf of Miss H E Richards and has been added to the site with her permission. Miss H E Richards fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Memories of 1944

Torquay had been considered a 'safe' haven, and, at the beginning of the Second World War, colleges had been evacuated there from London. I was a student there from 1941 to 1944. The area was a restricted one, open to residents, the colleges based there and the Royal Air Force who had numerous I.T.Ws there (Initial Training Wings, I think). We very soon got to know a number of these cadets as we all went our several ways to different lectures.

One cannot compare the life of then and now; it was all so different. Everyone was kind to each other, thoughtful for each other and looked after each other so that, as far as possible, no one should come to harm. The youngsters of both college and RAF shared a great bond, we were all away from home and enjoyed each other's company and certainly the girls felt safe; we were looked after.

Suddenly, the RAF cadets who lived nearest to our large hostel had moved. The back of our hostel had a narrow paved area, then an eight food wall and behind it another small paved area and the wall of the next door hotel; the two buildings were quite close together. We faced the sea, at Babbacombe.

One day, from our study bedroom at the back and the Common Room next door, we could see in the windows opposite the soles of a large pair of boots/shoes! How long at a time they were there we could not tell as we were busy, but often, when we were free and looked out, there they were - someone enjoying some free time with his feet up on the window sill. It was not long before we had found a large sheet of drawing paper and a very large pair of soles appeared in our window.

What a method of introduction!

The Americans had arrived and a small group had moved in next door. I have a feeling it was a dental group and after such a great introduction we got to know them all well. We invited them to have coffee with us one evening and seven of them came. I think that was the complete group, one officer, one sergeant, one corporal and four G.I.'s. Our hostel had a very large entrance hall with good seating and was well used four our entertaining of guests. They were quiet and friendly group and we got to know them well - Walter, Mike, Leo, Joe, Jack, Billy and Dago. The Warden of our Hostel got to know them well too and so did her small staff and invited them all around for a meal when we were away. They were so kind to us, perhaps they felt we had been kind to them.

Suddenly, they were confined to quarters and were not allowed out at all. They had no contact with any one out of their unit.

Walter K wrote a letter to our hostel warden asking her permission to invite our girls around to an evening meal. She quickly agreed and we dressed up and went around.
Their quarters, of course, were sparsley furnished, but their dining room (mess room?) was looking magnificent and the table was groaning with food, it looked wonderful, food such as had not seen for years! It was a lovely gesture. A day or so later and they had gone - the building was empty. Fortunately I have kept snaps of them all.

On the horizon, opposite our front windows, lots and lots of ships could be seen - how excited we became. Out invasion of Europe had begun.

Our American friends were kind to us and I think enjoyed our country although wartime was certainly not a picnic. After our introduction to each other by 'window graph' it became a very useful medium. One evening a card appeared saying, "Open your window wide." As it was a sash window this was easy. Next, "Are you hungry?" Of course, students are always hungry. A longish packet was thrown through the open window landing on the rug. Delicious, hot buttered toast with peanut butter on - the first time I had ever come across it and never to be forgotten. This became routine on many evenings.

Walter Krummel, who was the Lieutenant in charge, called his unit the Knights of the Round Table as they used to go out together to the Babbacombe Bay Hotel and have a drink sitting around a round table. Walter and his wife lived at Petersburg, Virginia.

Two of our first year students who had not acquired boyfriend to take them out were taken over to Maidencombe to Sunday tea by Mike and Joe.

Suddenly they were confined to quarters and were not allowed out at all. They had no contact with any one out of their unit.

Walter K wrote a letter to our hostel Warden asking her permission to invite our group around to an evening meal. She quickly agreed and we dressed up and went around. Their quarters, of course, were very sparsely furnished, but their dining room (mess room?) was looking magnificent and the table groaning with food. It looked wonderful, food such as we had not seen for years! It was a lovely gesture. A day or so later and they had gone - the building was empty. Fortunately I have kept snaps of them all.

On the horizon, opposite our front windows, lots and lots of ships could be seen - how excited we became. Our invasion of Europe had begun.

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