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“This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Jan Hewett, a volunteer from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Three Counties Action at The British Legion on behalf of Jean Wills and has been added to this site with his/her permission. The person fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.â€�

Name: Jean Wills nee Roberts.
Location: Ampthill.
Title: A Cent for Canadian Luck.

There were always troops in Ampthill. Probably there were in the First World War. A fir wood there had been cut down in the First World War to make pit props for the trenches. This fir wood became a common. Troops of all nationalities were stationed there. A lot from Poland and Checkoslovakia. When our troops were driven out of Dunkirque they brought the troops back to Ampthill early in the morning. I found a Canadian detachment there. They were dirty and unshaven but very kind and considerate, as tired and deflated as they were. The army had brought food. I lived with my aunt and my grandmother at the time. The owner of the café in Church Street went round to my aunt very early in the morning to ask her to go and cook breakfast for the men. Eggs, bacon and sausage. A Canadian gave me a cent coin because I reminded him of his daughter who had sent one as a good luck coin. She was the same age as me. I’ve mislaid it at the moment. At the time I was too shy to ask his name.

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