I popped into the doctor’s clinic the other day.
Jenny, the receptionist suggested I help myself to a cup of tea, as I had a 20 minute wait. I took a seat & proceeded to read the December 1989 Country Life magazine. (I wish they would update their mags).
Linda, the clinic nurse popped into reception & spoke to the elderly lady (who I know lives in the village) sitting next to me. Linda is American, who having married an Englishman now lives in the next village.
Having discussed something to do with an antibiotic dosage with the elderly lady, Linda went back into her room.
I assume hearing an American accent (rare in these parts) brought memories flooding back to the elderly lady who turned to me & quite unexpectedly said, “We used to have terrible trouble with the Americans.”
Oh no, I thought fearing the start a diplomatic incident.
I laughed nervously, & said “Oh really”
I found out the elderly lady (Audrey) was 83.
In 1941, she enlisted into the RAF, 2 months after her 18th birthday. After 6 months training, she was stationed in Portsmouth (SE England) as a radio operator.
Audrey’s was part of a team whose main duty was to direct RAF fighter pilots home, by maintaining radio communications.
On one particular occasion, she instructed an American fighter pilot (Charlie Alpha) who had been involved in a dogfight to return to base. “Do you know what he said to me?” she enquired. I didn’t have a clue. “He said - Jesus Christ ma’am, I’m not coming in yet, I’m going after those godam critters” Audrey apologised for swearing & then asked, “Do you know what a critter is?” “I haven’t a clue” I replied. “Me neither” said Audrey.
It appeared that knowing his plane’s fuel supply was low she insisted he return to base immediately. “Four times I told him to return to base & on each occasion I became more insistent, but he was having none of it.”
It was then she heard Charlie Alpha say, “I’m out of fuel & it looks like I’m going swimming.”
Everything went silent. “I was so afraid for the lad, minutes seemed like hours to me” she said. To Audrey’s relief she eventually heard Charlie Alpha say that he had ditched & needed rescuing. Audrey breathed a sigh of relief & quickly went over to her Commander. “Did you tell him to land with the others?” said her Commander. Audrey confirmed the instructions given & that although he had ditched in the Channel he was safe. “Oh is he! Said her Commander “Well he can stay wet for a while longer, we have incoming raids & haven’t got time to go on a fishing expedition.”
Audrey, knowing the Channel to be a cold bleak place, was horrified, but this was wartime & she was not in a position to argue. She later however, discovered that Charlie Alpha had been rescued & lived to dogfight another day.
Audrey is an absolute sweetie & her parting words to me… “All war ever does is take the energy of young lives & spits out the shells.”
