Guiding Memories | "The G.I.S. and Me" Page 8

"The G.I.S. and Me"

Page 8

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Poles from there and make arrangements for their billeting this side of the Russian lines. Community feeding must be organised for the next week at least and, if possible, jobs should be found for the able-bodied men and women who were not already in the Polish forces. Creches for the little ones, and schools for the older children; doctors and medical supplies. DDT?

We worked all together, and 'hunted' in pairs, meeting at intervals during the day to compare notes. In the evening we sat around our windmill having had a well deserved and very much appreciated meal. I was relieved that I was no longer responsible for the cooking! We told of our experiences, and of the plans we had made. We had been given a list of helpful people to contact:- Parsons, both Anglican and Catholic; Schoolmasters; food stores, etc.; ex-army (retired) personnel and so on, and we had had a very hectic although enjoyable day. Our thanks must go to all those who helped. We found some very good actors!!

My latch-lifter' was to be a Polish General with Russian connections, and I chose Alicia to come with me. I hoped that perhaps she would be able to break through the Polish language.

As we had to be with him at an early hour, we became desperate as we couldn't find a way out of Burnham Woods. The tracks were so narrow, and the trek-carts seemed so wide. In the end we left the rest of the party, and using a compass followed a path, hoping that it would lead us out to the road; luckily it did. We hailed the first car that came - there were not many around in those days - and two astonished young men were told our tale. They entered into the spirit of it all and deposited us at the end of the General's drive.

We went up to the house and rang the bell, and a retainer ushered us into the drawing room. She said the general was expecting us, but could we wait? We sat there getting hotter and hotter under the collar, and eventually the door opened and an old gentleman hobbled in on two sticks. He was the General, and he greeted us in Polish, and after what we thought were a few pleasantries he asked if we spoke German? Alicia took over here, and in no time he realised that she was too good for him and said "Ahhh.... my English is coming back to me"

From here on we had some fun and got on splendidly and he gave us all the local information that we wanted. He was a very good actor, and it was a great 'latch-lift'

The next day was Sunday, and we all went off to Amersham Church. We could hardly keep awake, and the congregation must have wondered who we were, especially when we clattered our 'fines' from the week before into the collection plate. After a picnic lunch in the church paddock, we were told that we must be at the 'Workhouse' at 2 o'clock and be ready to entertain the inmates for two hours by putting on a variety show. We were given half an hour to prepare it! Imagine our shock! The Trainers would join the audience too which made matters worse - who could do what, if anything?!? I was to be compere, and I could, in a fashion, play the mouth-organ, but it was at home! Someone else could play the violin, but it was ditto, and so we went on. In the end we decided

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