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Sometime in the summer of 1944, my mother took my sister and myself to visit my paternal grandparents in South Wales. I do not know the itinerary of the train but I think we boarded it in Shrewsbury. The train was crowded with servicemen and the carriage we entered (pullman style with tables) was mainly occupied by American Servicemen. At that time my mother was heavily pregnant with my brother and one of the American offered her his seat. I was lifted up and seated on a table. Some of the servicemen spoke to me and being a very precocious and chatty little girl I responded. Whether I was asked or whether I offered I do not know, but I stood on the table and and gave a sample of my repertoire of songs which included " You are my Sunshine", " Daisy Daisy", and another song which ended " Mary my Scotch Bluebell". Obtaining a rousing ovation, I then became very shy and my entertaining was at an end. My mother recalled that one of the Americans offered me some gum which she refused on my behalf. Another offered me some chocolate which was well received and enjoyed by all three of us. The courtesy of the Americans left a lasting impression on my mother. I have since wondered about those young men who at the time were most probably heading for France and whether any of them survived to see their own families again.

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