An Occupation Diary – Part 18

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

James Maclaren has dug out some records on Mrs Luce, and her family has also been in touch, so there will be a few further instalments about her, filling in some background next week. I may even have some photos of her.

Liberation day was a day to rejoice, but unlike every other diary I have read from people who were here, there is a bitterweet coda - Mrs Luce has relations still serving in the forces - in the Far East. The war against Japan was still to be won.

I suspect this diary has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it. This is the final instalment - including Liberation Day!

An Occupation Diary – Part 18

March 24,1945

The news is so good to-day that Father act so excited, and played and sang all the old "War Songs" with the window open too, and didn't care if the Germans heard or not!

There are all sorts of rumours going round today; one is that all cycles must be off the road by six o'clock, and that "Curfew" is at eight. The man at present in command is very unpleasant, and says he will soon take the smile off the Jersey people's faces, which makes the Jersey Man smile more than ever.

Some time ago I was sitting in the Sun Parlour by the window reading, when someone knocked on the window, and I saw it was a very unpleasant German, who beckoned to me to come out - but I just shook my head and said "No, go away", and he tried to open the door, but fortunately it was locked. He shook it and pushed, but it held. I was so afraid he would try the front or back doors, but he went off at last. I was simply petrified with fear, as I was quite alone and not a soul about, and I could not have moved to call anyone. I do not think he would have done any harm, and only wanted some bread or something to eat. Anyhow I do not like to be alone in the house, but have to be when Father goes to Church or Practice.

There has been so much excitement lately that I have neglected my diary, and the news was so promising.

May 8

We expected the end any day, and so it went on, our hopes rising and falling, till at long last the welcome news came that we were FREE! Father rushed outside and put up the Flag, while I stayed indoors and had a good cry, much to my disgust, and soon recovered, and would like to have gone out and shouted the news to passers-by!

However, I managed to contain myself, and in the evening several neighbours came in to hear the news, as we were the only ones to have a set round here. It was a very happy gathering, although we had nothing to celebrate with.

There was great excitement in town, but we did not see anything, as there were still no buses, and most people either walked or got lifts in vans, which suddenly appeared, and the excitement and noise seemed to go on all night.

Since then we have had the joy of receiving letters from all our dear ones, and have just had the second Air Mail from John, full of joy at our release.

I have been answering letters every day, but they appear to take such a long time to get there, and I have had several telegrams, asking for news and "why don't you write?" I have also had one from Daisy Coy to-day. She was deported to Germany with her husband nearly three years ago, and got back to England last September. She hopes to get back to Jersey as soon as permitted, and shall then hear all her experiences.

Father has just brought me a punnet of most lovely strawberries which he saw for sale, and so I had a fine treat, as those in the garden have done nothing.

We have heard on the wireless that the King and Queen are visiting the Channel Islands on June 6th. We have only just taken down the flags of Victory, and shall have to put them up again. What excitement there will be!

June 9

Well, the excitement is over, the King and Queen have come and gone, and i did not see anything but the planes. We were hoping they would pass here on their drive round the Island, but they went by the inner road. I was so disappointed, and was not well enough to go out in my chair.

Frank is using Auntie Emmie's car for his work, and they all came out to see us during the evening, and told us all about the Royal visit.

They had the pleasure of entertaining Howard Marshall to dinner the previous evening, and we listened to his broadcast at noon to-day.

Letters have been pouring in every day, and I had thirteen on Monday, and now have a great deal of writing to do. So now there is no need for me to continue this Journal, as you are getting regular letters from me and other relatives, It has given me comfort and pleasure to be talking to you on paper, and I hope you will enjoy reading it. Always your very loving Father and Mother.

Conclusion - May 9

Well, the Occupation is over at last! We had been hoping for Liberation for many months, but had made up our minds that we should have the Germans here till September - at least, Frank said September - I said June. However, all of a sudden it seemed that things were being speeded up - as we say in Jersey "The news were good"! In very truth the news were good - too good to be true. It all seems like a dream now - the King's speech, Mr Churchill's speech, the arrival of the British Troops, and the surrender of the Nazis . Oh! Happy Day! The crying and laughing, the bonfires and the fireworks! Then seeing some of our own boys back home.

Dear old Derek! Looking so well. I was very proud to be kissed in the Royal Square by a Captain of the Coldstream Guards! We shall never forget the thrill of seeing British troops march into our town, as they poured out of the 'Ducks". Did we shout and yell that day! It was almost too much to bear, and we felt the reaction for weeks.

After months of privation., our plight was soon relieved by stores unloaded from those wonderful Ducks and other landing craft. Then, after several days, we were allowed to send special postcards to England, and soon we were in touch again with most of our dear ones. We kept hard at it for many weeks, writing to our many friends and relatives, all of whom showered us with so many kindnesses. Then the 'phone services were renewed, and later, trunk calls, the telegraph service, bus services, laundries, electricity and GAS. What a boon to so many women! And all the time food and soap pouring in!

All our own special boys - nephews, brothers-in law and cousins, have survived the war, but we were sad to hear that dear old Bill - Hilda Walker - has been drowned last year. Now we are all longing to meet again - "to renew the fellowship of sight and hand" as the Rev Labey used to say in his prayer for absent friends, a prayer which included the beautiful words "and may no shadow come between them and us to divide our hearts".

Finally, we long for the end of the War in the Far East, where Eric Bennett, Michael Simon, and probably other relations are serving; and the end which we hope for, for the release of all Prisoners of-War and internees.

Margaret Major's son, Patrick, is a prisoner in Japanese hands.

I started the Occupation by putting up a white flag and singing "God Save the King"!

Let us hope that the Union Jack will soon be flying and everyone will be singing GOD SAVE THE KING!

An Occupation Diary – Part 17

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 17

February, 1945

I am obliged to stay in bed all day, as it is the only way of keeping warm. Father feels the cold very much, and is not at all well. He never goes out, except to play the organ at Church. There, are no buses now, and the roads are so quiet; and besides he has no boots but what let in the water, and his shirts are in rags.

The Commandant has issued an order that no-one must cut down any trees or branches, or pick up bits of wood anywhere, not even on their own property, on pain of imprisonment. The prisons are full of people, for one thing and another.

Arthur Harrison is the latest. The Germans were searching the houses for food at Samares, and found a bag of flour, and because he would not tell the name of the farmer from whom he had bought it, he is to have seven weeks imprisonment. They think nothing of stopping one on the road and taking anything from one's basket. We think they must be getting very short of food, as they are stealing right and left, and will soon be getting out of hand.

A woman living alone on the Portelet Road heard someone trying to get in and opened the window as it was dark, saw a German and tried to shut it again, but he shot her and went off. She was very badly wounded, and could not get help till someone found her next morning; she was taken to hospital where she died soon after.

The electricity is all finished now, and we have no oil or candles, and few matches, so we have to go to bed at seven o'clock. The telephone is also finished, and we feel very cut off, especially as there is no means of getting to town, and most people's cycles are finished, and no repairs to be done.

We are all delighted with our Red Cross parcels, and are to have one every fortnight. I only wish we could get letters from you - it is such a long time since we had any, and are longing for news of you all, and hope you are all safe and well. I hardly dare mention John and Eric, and feel so anxious about them and long for news of their safety.

February 14

All the laundries closed down three months ago, and as there is no soap, no-one will take any washing, and so we have to wash what we can at home without soap, and you can imagine the colour of the clothes, and the state everything is in, no cleaning materials of any sort. Most people's hands are ingrained with dirt and look awful, especially if they have chilblains. We hear the Red Cross ship came in yesterday with parcels, but no flour, which we had hoped for, the. Germans had taken all ours, and as our ration of bread was cut from four lbs. each per week to two lbs. and it will all be finished the end of this week, we certainly should starve if it were not for our parcels.

The Farmers are usually so busy at this time of the year, planting potatoes, but those who have any are afraid to, as .the Germans dig them up to boil and eat, as they are half-starved, look awful, dirty and ragged. We think they will be obliged to surrender soon, as their food must be almost finished, and they cannot steal any more from us.

February 20

Such a lovely day, quite like Spring, and the daffodils are coming out in the garden, and the shrubs are budding. I am sitting in the sun parlour with the door open.

I have not told you about all the young fellows who have tried to escape from the Island. It started last Autumn, and several got away in a boat intending to make for France, and eventually England, but we have never heard if they arrived safely. A great many were wrecked and drowned and their bodies washed up round the coast.

Some were rescued and brought back and put in prison for the duration. Young Killer managed to escape from prison and got away by boat. Another got away and is hiding somewhere in Jersey, and as the Germans cannot find him they have arrested his Mother and put her in prison, hoping by so doing he would give himself up.

March 15

It is our dear John's birthday to-day, and he is twenty-five. It does not seem possible that it is so long since his dear little Mother died, and I brought John. a baby of three weeks old, back to Jersey, and have brought him up and loved him as my own boy, and he has been so good and sweet tome always.

We had a Red Cross letter from him last week and were delighted to hear he was well, but it was sent off a year ago, and so does not relieve my present anxiety, for so much has happened in the last twelve months.

Oh, how we long for this terrible war to be cheerful. over. The news is good and we are trying to keep cheerful.

Our monthly parcels are a Godsend to us, and we are living quite well now we have them. The last ship brought flour, as we had been quite it. without bread for three weeks and how we missed We are enjoying the white bread after five years of brown.

Nothing very exciting has happened, except that the "Palace Hotel" was blown up the other day, by the sailors who are at enmity with the Army. A lot of Germans were killed, and many wounded are in Hospital. The Palace was burnt to the ground. We even felt the shock here, and many houses had windows and doors blown in.

We had to put our clocks on an hour two weeks ago, so are an hour ahead of you, but we are glad of the extra hour of daylight, and so do not have to go to bed quite so early.

I quite forgot to mention an interesting little episode which happened during the fuel shortage. Jennifer heard her Mother say how we were almost without fuel, and without saying anything about it, she went out into the fields and hedgerows, and picked up about a sack full of bits of kindling wood - in spite of the German order that it was a punishable offence to do so.

When she got it home she was told that there was no transport to get it here. However, the next day Jennifer appeared here and said, "Oh, I have just brought, you a sack of wood, Grannie". On enquiry how she had come, she calmly said "I walked". It appears that she started from here with the sack tied to her cycle and got as far as West Park, where she had a puncture, and then trudged along that long dreary St Aubin's road and up St Aubin's hill pushing bike and wood all the way:

I was simply horrified, and told her how I appreciated what she had done, but she must never attempt such a thing again, for apart from knocking herself up, she might have been stopped by the Germans, and got into trouble over it. She said on leaving that she would get the puncture mended when she got to town, but found the shops already closed, and actually had to walk all the way home from here.

I think Dulcie kept her in bed the next day, and she was none the worse for her long trail. But what an example of endurance and determination she showed!

An Occupation Diary – Part 16

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 16
July 21, 1944

We have heard this week through Mrs Beer of a letter she received from Harold, in which he says "Eric in the thick of it in Burma and is a Gunner". It has made us all very anxious for him, and I'm thinking how anxious Kathleen must be. I am glad she has gone to live with or near Peggy in Isle of Man, and the children will be so pleased to be near the sea again.

I was thankful to hear that our John and the other boys were well and happy, but all longing to come home.

The news is so good, and all feel that the end is in sight, and today comes the news of the attempt on Hitler's life, and unrest in Germany.

We have a nice lot of vegetables in the garden now, and just live on them, as we only get 4 oz. of meat once a fortnight; and we are making tea substitute from dried pea pods - it's very good too. Dulcie is making coffee from dried potato peelings, and says it is very good.

Father made jam last week, some gooseberry and some blackcurrant. He made a very good swap of fruit for sugar, and the jam is lovely.

July 25, 1944

We had such a thrill this morning between ten and eleven o'clock - about fifteen hundred RAF planes passed over the Island on their way to France. All the big guns opened fire, and there was a terrific noise going on. I don't think any were hit.

Dulcie and Mrs Struthers came to-day, brought their lunch and heard the news.

I went to Petit Port yesterday and saw Moorings. All the tiles have been taken off the roof and smashed to bits. Looking in the front door-way one saw the whole of the interior, as they have taken away all the divisions - it is a terrible wreck; they have also taken the two sheds.

Two birthdays have passed this month, Kathleen's and Peggy's. We spoke of you and wished you many happies.

September 6, 1944

Our dear Doreen's birthday to-day, and we all wish her many happy returns. Dulcie came to see us, and we spoke of Doreen and wished we could see her again.

This long separation is very hard to bear, and we hope when the war is over she will be able to come back.

We are having rather a bad time just now, as the gas is cut off altogether, and water is on for only a few hours a day, and there is only enough food to last till Nov. 30th. However, the news is so good that we hope the war will be over before that date, when we shall be able to get rid of the Germans - there are fourteen thousand of them here.

We have no means of cooking here, except on the lounge fireplace, and have very little fuel, and not much hope of getting more.

January 14, 1945

I have neglected my diary for a long time, and will start again for the New Year, hoping this is the last year of the war.

This last Christmas has been quite different from the four previous ones. Percy and Queenie very kindly invited us to Holmhurst for five days, and we were delighted to accept, as Flo and Dorothy were to be there, also Harold and Jim, and Wilfred and Gertrude.

We were twelve for meals every day, and what lovely ones they were, and how we did enjoy them after the poor food we had been having for so long. The rooms were so warm, too, and everything was perfect. We had been going through a bad time, as all our food was exhausted owing to the Germans taking so much. They have taken all our flour, most of the potatoes and com, and now we only get a weekly ration of 3 oz. of meal and a few potatoes; we used to get 3 oz. of butter, but they have taken that and half our milk.

We were just on the verge of starvation when the Red Cross ship arrived, loaded with food for us and Guernsey, done up in parcels like the prisoners of war get, and we get one each every month. What a joy it was opening them! We were just like a lot of children with their Christmas stockings! We have only had the first one, and are expecting the next in a week's time.

The fuel question is very serious as there is no coal or coke; we are allowed 1 cwt. of wood a month, but cannot get it, as there is no transport, the Germans having taken all the lorries and most of the horses, and all the petrol. Having so little wood, we are only able to have a little fire to cook our dinner and boil a kettle for tea, and it's only four points above freezing in the lounge.

An Occupation Diary – Part 15

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 15

June 9, 1944

There does not seem to have been much to write about the last three months, and we are getting very tired of the suspense of waiting for the " Invasion " to start. We were very thrilled with the good news about Rome, and the account of the entry of the Allies. The same night we were kept awake with the sound of thousands of RAF planes passing over the Island - the house rocked and shook and the noise was terrific, like an earthquake. I knew something extraordinary was happening, but it did not occur to me that it was the " Invasion " at last, and was quite surprised to hear in the morning that it really had come.

Were we thrilled and excited ! I must tell you that Father had hidden his wireless instead of giving it up, and so we were able to listen in, and heard all the thrilling accounts of the landing, and the correspondents' reports. In fact we were listening in nearly all day on Tuesday, Churchill's speech, the King's speech, and the service by the Archbishop of Canterbury in fact we have missed nothing since.

It is such a Joy to know we are doing well, though our thoughts and prayers are with our brave boys at the front, and the terrific ordeal they have to face, and the sacrifice. My constant thought is for my dear John, and all whom we love who are in danger. We, of course, are in a state of " siege "; although a lot of Germans have gone away, there are still a good many left, and we are wishing they would go, as then the British would come and set us free, and would also bring us food and medical supplies, which are so desperately needed.

The Hospital is full of wounded Germans who were rescued from the sea last week, when several boats were sunk. Unfortunately for us, the Germans are taking so much of our food away; they are taking 24 cows a week from the Island and our stock of butter and sugar, so now our rations are being reduced, and there is only enough gas to last till July, as there is no coal and nothing can come from France now. The Harbour is full of disabled ships, and I don't think the Germans could get away even if they wanted to - they say they would rather be taken prisoner than fight.

June 22

We went to Mrs Tennant's to tea one day last week, another day to Mrs du Guerin's, and on Monday to Miss Arm's- Harold and Jim were spending the week-end there, and they all came on here each evening to hear the news.

The Germans have cut off the telephone, so we are not able to ring up. Also there is only one bus a day, and only for people who work in town, and we are feeling very cut off.

Some American planes came over one day and dropped a bomb at La Rocque, hoping to hit a gun, but hit several houses instead; this makes the people living on the coast very nervous. We are hoping soon to hear Cherbourg has fallen.

June 24

June's birthday to-day, eleven years old too, and she must be getting a big girl. I do hope the flying bombs do not get as far as Hereford. I think so much of Kathleen all alone with her little family.

Dulcie came yesterday and told us about the affair at La Rocque. There were fourteen houses wrecked, and many people injured and homeless. Some have gone to a nursing home, others have been taken in and cared for by kind neighbours. Dulcie has been very busy helping, and has a family living in Miss Bowles's house next door. She actually saw the bombs drop, as she happened to be outside attending to the goats.

Last night planes were overhead for several hours. We think they were German, as they were not fired on, and must have been travelling back-wards and forwards to France, taking officers away, as that is their only way to escape now.

June 27

We hear that Cherbourg has really fallen, and we hope to hear all details later on.

It is very quiet here these last few days, no firing or explosions; the Germans are very nervous, expecting an attack any moment.

An Occupation Diary – Part 14

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 14

August 28, 1943

News has been received in the Island that Major Ogier had died in Germany. He had been taken there for the second time a short while ago, and put into a concentration camp, and there he died.

Previous to that he had been in prison for some months, and altogether had a ghastly time. Dick, his son, is still in German hands under observation, and there is some talk of performing an operation on his brain.

Violet Beer rang up the other day to say she had just received a letter from her brother Harold in Germany, who had received one from Kathleen. She was in Exeter with the four children and staying with Auntie Emmie. I was so pleased and thought how good of Auntie to have so many but it's just like her, always giving and helping others.

I loved hearing about the children, too, and that baby Eric has got over his infant delicacy and is such a lovely perfect baby. We were thankful to hear Eric had recovered from his bad attack of fever.

Yesterday we had the joy of receiving a Red Cross Letter from Doreen; it had taken seven months to come, and she said she had not heard from us at all. I sent her a letter a year ago, and hope she has received it by now.

We are all cheered with the good news from the front, and hope the end is in sight, for we are getting very weary and faint for lack of good food. People who can afford to, buy in the black market and so keep up their strength, but we cannot afford it.

Butter is now 30/- to 35/- lb., pork 20/., eggs 2/- each. Dulcie has been so good in giving us some every week, it is such a help. Our tea was finished ages ago, so now we drink weak coffee substitute as we do not like the tea substitute. The Germans took all our silver money soon after they came, and. gave us German Reichmarks, all paper notes.

I found them such a nuisance at first, and used to get terribly tied up with them, but now I'm quite used to them. Fortunately we had a little money in the Bank, as of course we are not getting our usual supply.

I am feeling so worried about John, as we have had only one letter from him. It seems so strange that no one says where he is, and that he does not write.

It's a long time too since we heard from Peggy, and I'm longing to hear news of little Christopher.

November 4

We had three Red Cross Letters, one from Auntie Emmie telling us of all the visiting she has done - I feel very envious of her seeing all my children, but glad for her sake that she is so well and able to get about. I also had one from Kathleen Dickens with a good report of you all and a specially nice one from Peggy saying she had spent a week with Kathleen, also a week in London, and that Christopher weighs 20 lbs. at eight months. We have also heard through Harold Poole that Eric has been ill again, and that my poor Kathleen is very homesick, I am sure she must be very anxious about Eric.

From the same source we hear that our John is in the thick of it, probably Italy. I have felt for some time that he must be abroad, and I feel terribly anxious. If only the war would stop and you could all come home again.

November 24

Yesterday was a real Red Letter day, as at long last we had a letter from John; the relief was so great that I shed floods of tears, but they were tears of joy, and I soon recovered.

Auntie Flo was here for the day, and we had been talking of John just before the Red Cross letter came, and we were wondering why we did not hear from him. My constant prayer has been these beautiful lines from a hymn:-

Holy Father in thy mercy
Hear our anxious prayer,
For our loved ones, now far distant
'Neath thy care.
Bless them, Save them, Guide them, Keep them Near to thee.

February 14, 1944

What a long time since I wrote in my diary, but nothing very special has happened just lately.

Christmas was just the same as the three previous ones; Harold and Jim and the Cookes spent a week at Holmhurst, though Percy was very seedy and not fit to leave home; but he did not want to disappoint the others. His digestion was so bad, and he felt so very weak, and when they got home again he took to his bed, and never got up again, except to be taken to the Hospital to be X-rayed, when they found he had cancer in the stomach, and the Dr. said he would not live more than three months.

It was a great shock to Auntie Flo, as she had never expected such a thing. He rapidly became much worse, getting weaker every day, and not able to take any nourishment except sips of barley water, and not even that at the last, till he gradually sank, and passed away after only three weeks, but fortunately he did not suffer, except from weakness and sickness. He was so patient and no trouble and quite ready to die, and did not wish them to grieve for him, but it's a great grief to Auntie Flo, though she is so wonderfully brave and self-possessed.

Three weeks after Percy died, Mr. Harrison died; he had had two operations and got over them wonderfully well, then his heart became affected, and he died at Bon Air. Mrs. Harrison is living at Les Genets with Leslie and Eileen until the war is over.

There are two more deaths to report, Miss Cecile Pallot and Mr. John Perchard. Mrs. Perchard will now live at Maupertuis with Johnny, who inherited the farm on the death of his uncle, Dick Crawford, the last of the Crawford brothers.

Six weeks ago l started with a very bad septic foot, caused through a bunion which has been troubling me for years. The pain was intense for three days, until we managed to get some “antiphlogistin ", at least Dulcie did, and that soon gave me relief, until it began to spread, so we had to start all over again as they were afraid of its going up my leg and giving me blood poisoning.

However, it got better at last, and I am quite well now, but still in bed to keep warm, as we have so little fuel, not enough to warm our big lounge, and it has been bitterly cold the last few weeks, and no sun. The sun is shining now, and Frank has sent us a nice lot of logs, so I hope to get up soon. The District Nurse has come every day to dress my foot, wash me and make my bed, and Father has been so good in keeping me warm with hot water bags, plenty of hot food and drinks

March 1

I have got up to-day for the first time, as the bitter north wind has changed to west, and it is a lovely sunny day, so I am sitting in the Sun Parlour and feeling fine.

An Occupation Diary – Part 13

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 13
July 18, 1943

I have not felt like writing in my diary all this time, but must try and remember what has happened in the interval.

At last we know where Kathleen is with her little family. Violet Beer had a letter from her brother Harold who was deported to Germany and he had a letter from Kathleen, giving her address, which was in Hereford. We always thought she was in Scotland. Now I know, I shall be able to write to her. How she must miss Eric, who is in India and soon getting his third pip.

Major Ogier was released some time ago and allowed to return home, but his son was detained and is under observation as an interesting case. But last week a dozen people were arrested and sent to Germany, - Major Ogier was one of them.

I had a letter from "Daisy Coy" last week in reply to one from me. She said it was a lovely place they were in, and that her health was much better. She is in a large room with thirty other women, and she spends most of her time sewing for herself and others. Their food is very little and poor -but they get good parcels from the "Red Cross". What an awful life it must be, with no comforts, and herded together like that.

Some time ago we were told that the Germans had done a lot of damage to "Moorings", so 1 went there to see, and was appalled at what had been done.

We had an oil container in the shed, and it had been taken into the kitchen and filled with explosive and set alight. The "cook-and-heat" stove was smashed to atoms, the chimney hanging into the lounge, all the windows blown out, huge holes in the floor and ceiling, and debris all over the place. All the doors have been taken away, and also every bit of woodwork in the place. The bath is gone and everything taken from the bathroom. You can imagine how awful I felt to see our poor little Moorings in such a state, and we don't know if we shall get any compensation or not when the war is over.

It's terrible to see all the houses that have been wrecked, and what the people will do when they come back and find their homes gone, I really cannot think. There is nothing but the chimney left at Hedges' bungalow.

The Misses Staniforth have had to leave their house, which was their own property, as the Germans said it was in their way, and they have knocked it down. In fact, there is no end to the destruction done. Black Market prices continue to soar; tea is now £20 per lb., meat 15/- per lb, butter 25/- to 30/- per Ib.,' vegetables are very scarce, and what the Germans don't take people keep for themselves, and by ten o' clock the shops are empty. We are fortunate in having Emmie's garden, and are growing a lot of beans and onions for the winter. Sugar is 16/- per lb.

We have made some new friends this spring, Major and Mrs Tennant, who called to see us and brought some nice books for us to read. We returned the call, and now we are quite neighbourly. We were also invited to Dr Stapleton's house to tea, and they came here the following week.

Also, through Jim, we have been to a Miss Arm's, who has a very nice house at the top of St Aubin's Hill, overlooking the bay. I told you about Mrs Deverell Walker being turned out of her house on the Park Estate - well she took another at First Tower and after a few weeks she was turned out of that, and now she is living at the Wesleyan Parsonage.

August 10

I came here a week ago, and am staying another week. I have every day taken up for lunch and tea, until I leave here. Last Thursday I spent the day at Maryland with Gertrude and Wilfrid, and had such a nice time with them. Friday, Auntie Flo was to have come to tea, but the weather was bad, so Nancy and Jennifer invited me to tea in the nursery, and we had quite a merry time. In the evening Jennifer took me out in my chair through the lanes. The fields look so lovely with all the oats and wheat which is grown now in place of the tomatoes we used to see.

On Saturday I went to Cape House to tea, but it does not look as nice as when we lived there. Sunday we all went to Percy Maine's to tea, and had a lot of community singing. On Monday I went to Mrs Le Quesne's for lunch, in the afternoon Nancy took me to La Rocque for tea at Doris de Faye's.

The weather has been rather bad so far, and this morning it poured. I was going to Auntie Flo's for lunch, so Dulcie packed me up well in mackintosh, capes, rugs and umbrella, and I arrived perfectly dry.

August 16

I have been out so much that there seemed no time for writing my diary. I spent a very happy day at "The Little White House" last Wednesday: Flo was there as well, but unfortunately she missed the last bus and was obliged to walk home. Harold brought me back. On Thursday Dulcie took me to Mrs Bailhache's. It was a perfect day and we had tea in the garden, and what a tea; I haven't seen the like since the occupation. It was Mrs Bailhache's birthday. and she had quite a party, Mr Blampied and Auntie Rose were there, and several other old friends.

On Friday I went to Les Genets to tea, but it was very wet, so could not go round the garden. Eileen is expecting a little one in October, and everyone is so anxious that everything should be all right this time, and she is being very careful and not building on it too much.

I have not mentioned the railway which the Germans have remade all along the coast, and in many places crossing the main roads. They actually ran it through the Willcox's garden, and cut down trees to make way for it.

Dulcie is taking me to see Elsie Le Blancq this afternoon. She is living at Grouville now, having sold her house in town, and has just become engaged to a Mr Herbert Labey. i will tell you all about it on our return;

Later:. We have had a lovely afternoon with Elsie, and congratulated her on her engagement, but did not see Mr Labey. Elsie lives in a charming old-fashioned house which is furnished with beautiful things from her old home.

This evening I have been sitting outside watching a lovely high tide. and a lot of children bathing. Then we saw a convoy of ships, escorted by balloon barrage, crossing the bay and taking away troops from here to Russia.

I am returning home to-morrow, and so ends a delightful little holiday.

August 27

I have been home a week now, and quite settled down to our usual quiet life. Father was very glad to have me back again, as I think he had been bored and lonely.

An Occupation Diary – Part 12

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 12
March 9, 1943

Jim and Harold came out to lunch today, and we had such a nice time together. Harold sang to us and it was a treat to hear him. Father had killed a rabbit and cooked it beautifully - and I made a Queen of puddings which was also much appreciated.

March 15

This is my dear John's 23rd birthday, and how I have thought of him all day, with very loving wishes and anxious thoughts for his safety. It is almost a year since we heard from him, and I am longing to have a message from him again, and to know he is still in England, for I dread the thought of him being sent overseas.

It has been such a lovely spring day, and I. have been out in my wheel chair, and called to see Miss Nicholson, who is ill. She has been so sweet in visiting me, although she is 83, and it's quite a long walk for one of that age.

Auntie Annie is coming to lunch tomorrow. She has not been here since before Christmas, as it has been such a wet winter, and she has had to keep in a lot.

April 3

My 72nd birthday, and such a lovely day, I have had lots of telephone wishes and several nice presents. Dulcie and the children came this afternoon and brought no end of presents, flowers, eggs, asparagus, cake, pudding and fudge, all most acceptable. Father gave me a bottle of cordial, and I had one from Percy and Queenie. Jim gave me a pretty sleeping cap, and Gertrude a gold flexible bracelet. Our maid also brought me some eggs.

Auntie Flo was not able to come as she sprained her ankle, but hopes to come at Easter, as they are all going to stay at Holmhurst for Easter. Gertrude came to lunch today.

April 11

I am so pleased to hear from Emmie today with a message from Kathleen and Peggy to say they each have a son, Eric Houguet Poole and Thomas Christopher Beales. We had heard from Kathleen about her baby, and were so sorry to hear he was delicate.

We had also heard a rumour. of Peggy's expecting, but thought it must be false as she had said nothing about it, and I was so very disappointed, so you can imagine how delighted I am that she has at last got a son, and I am so pleased with the name. She has kept it very quiet, as I have not heard from her since last October.

April, Easter Sunday

Such a lovely day, just like summer. I have been to St Brelade's Church this evening, as Father had taken his Choir there for an Easter Festival; it was very lovely, and I did enjoy it all. Beryl took me in my Chair as Father had to cycle to be early -the church was packed and the singing was lovely.

Sitting there in the old church brought back memories and made me sad; Laddie and Dilys were married there, also my dear Babbo.

The German Cemetery is quite a feature of St Brelade's and is most beautifully laid out, and such a number of graves there, all planted with pansies. Several more ships have been sunk round the coast lately, three yesterday, so I expect there will by many bodies washed up.

April 28

On Easter Monday Father and I were invited to a van picnic by Percy and Queenie, at Brown's Cafe, St Brelade's. Unfortunately Father was not well enough to go he had a bad gastric attack which got worse, so sent for Doctor on Tuesday morning, and now he has to stay in bed several days and take nothing but milk and water, and we are allowed a pint of extra milk a day, also a little rice.

Dulcie as usual came to the rescue and brought half a dozen eggs and other things, so I am able to carry on for myself for a time, and Jim is coming on Friday. It was a lovely picnic, and we had a fine lunch when we got there, and a good tea later on.

Lorna Macintosh was there with her Mother; she has just become engaged to John Dupre (Percy's boy). He proposed by Red Cross Message, to which she replied and accepted. John also wrote to his Father asking him to buy a ring, which he did, and what a beauty it is ! They are all very pleased and like her very much. We have just heard that Miss Elsie Morley died yesterday, also Mr Arthur Balleine. The old Rector died last year, so now the Rectory is empty.

May 20

There has been nothing much to relate recently, except that Father's illness lasted quite a long time, and though he is better, he still -feels very weak and gets terribly tired. He was able to resume his duties at Church last Sunday, but the walk back up the hill tires him very much. The trouble is, one cannot get enough food to strengthen him; we have to be so careful with the bread and there are no vegetables until the new ones come in.

We were so pleased to receive a message from Peggy last week, telling us about her little son. I am longing to hear from John; it seems so strange we have heard nothing from him for over a year.

May 30

It is the anniversary of our darling Babbo's death today, and brings back all the sadness of a year ago. She is always in my thoughts, and I am wondering what happened to take her off so suddenly, for she could not have been too bad to be able to take the journey with the intention of taking the " Baths ". I was glad to hear from Essie that Babbo did not know she was going to die, for I know how it would have distressed her to know she was leaving her children.

An Occupation Diary – Part 10

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 10

December 22, 1943

I have not told you that we have a "baby grand" piano. It belongs to the Parsonage at St Aubin's, and, as the Vicar evacuated, Mr Balleine said we might borrow it. You can. imagine what a pleasure it is to have some music especially since we had to give up our wireless. Both Nancy and Jennifer play and sing so nicely,

We were to have gone to Les Vagues on Boxing Day, and Frank was going to hire a car for us, but the Commandant would not allow any cars out for the holidays,, so we are going in the New Year.

One afternoon a little while ago, we heard some very. sharp and heavy shooting quite close, but we did not know till afterwards what had happened.

If we had only -one across the road, and got on the bank, we should have had a front seat view of a wonderful sight, There was a convoy of ships passing St Brelade's Bay, and a flight of eight RAF planes came over, dropped bombs and machine gunned tlne ships, sunk two and set another on fire. It was all over in a few minutes and hundreds of Germans were drowned.

Last week Gertrude and Wilfrid came to spend a day with us. Father made some lovely bean rissoles and we had quite a nice lunch. Wilfrid brought his flute and the two men spent most of the afternoon at the piano playing and singing.

Last Saturday, Jim came and brought a few pounds of white flour, which one cannot get except by black market, and it is such a treat to have some.

Dorothy came after lunch in pouring rain, to bring me a present from Mrs Pearce, such a beautiful foot muff, which she had made, in ruby velvet lined with fur, and trimmed with skunk. I don't know why she should give me such a lovely present, and I feel quite overwhelmed with it. Dorothy also brought a pudding and some jam from Auntie Flo.

December 23

This morning a German came to the door and asked to see Mr Dupre. I was rather nervous, as, generally when they came like that, it is to arrest someone, or to look at the house, but he was quite harmless and wanted Father to play the organ for them at St Aubin's Church on Christmas Day, an hour before our own service. He was quite a young clergyman, and Father consented. It would not be prudent to refuse, as one would very likely be on their Black List at once.

December 27

Christmas is over once more, and I would hardly believe it was Christmas Day until Father played some carols before he went to Church. We were quite alone, and had a small piece of pork for dinner in the evening, which was a bit of black market, and cost a pretty penny. Mrs Le Neveu sent us a fowl as usual, and we are having that next Tuesday, as we are expecting Percy for the day. Flo was to have come as well, but is not well enough to do so - we are very disappointed, for it had been a long-standing engagement.

They are all spending Christmas at Holmhurst with Harold and Jim as well, and I hear they are having a lovely one.

New Year's Day, January 1, 1943

We have had a party today, Father invited all his young choir boys and girls to come and sing their Christmas carols to me, just a dozen of them, and we gave them tea. I managed to make a cake, and Father made a lot of chocolate biscuits, and we gave them bread and butter. jam and potted meat, which they seemed to enjoy very much. We used three pounds of bread and a quart of milk, and so had to economise the rest of the week. They sang beautifully and I did enjoy it all, but feel very tired now. January 6

We heard today that a boat was sunk last night, just off Portelet; there were three hundred and fifty Germans on board, and only seventy saved. It was a very dark night, and they struck a rock and sank in a few minutes, as they had a cargo of cement on board. They are using the Star Hotel as a mortuary - I suppose they will all be buried at St Brelade's churchyard.

January 8

We spent yesterday at Les Vagues; Frank sent a lovely comfy car for me, and Father came on his cycle, as he wanted it for getting back home today. I broke my journey at Samares to see Auntie Flo, who I am sorry to say has been ill with bladder trouble, and had to stay in bed and keep warm, and you may be sure that she has had the best attention from Dr and Dorothy. I quite envy Flo having a daughter at home. We all hope she will soon be quite well again, but she will have to be very careful. She and I are getting to be quite old ladies, but I don't feel like one.

We had a very warm welcome from all at Les Vagues, and the dinner was simply lovely, just like pre-war. We had roast chicken with all the etceteras except hang and sausages, then a wonderful mock plum pudding which Nancy had made, and a room. rich trifle, and coffee afterwards in the sitting room.

Nancy gave me a pair of mitten gloves which she had made, the backs were rabbit skin and the inner part was knitted. They are just what I wanted, as I cannot get proper gloves on. my hands being so crippled. Jennifer gave me a bottle of lavender water, which I am very fond of, and Dulcie gave me a lovely silk scarf and hankie.

We were a big party for tea, as Dulcie had invited Gertrude and Wilfrid and Jim and Harold. We had a very fine tea.

Jim had very kindly asked me to spend a long weekend with them, and I am now at " The Little White House ". I am being thoroughly spoilt here, a fire in my bedroom, and waited on hand and foot, I don't like giving so much trouble, but Jim insists on doing it, and I must say I can stand a lot of spoiling.

Father spent the night at Uncle Wilfrid's and expect they sat up talking nearly all night. He was going home today and fears he will be very quiet and lonely. It is such a nice change for me, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

An Occupation Diary – Part 9

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

The Pilot at that time was facing major financial problems, and printing this diary helped to win back readers.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read some of it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 9


August 30, 1942

As you see, I am now staying at Holmhurst. Queenie very kindly invited me, as Flo, Percy and Dorothy are here for a week. It's so lovely to be all together again, and we are such a happy party. Percy sent his van for me yesterday, and today being Sunday, Father came to lunch.

We have been able to borrow a chair, and so I have been able to get about a little. I went to have tea with Auntie Annie one day, and twice to town, which really looks awful; all the big shop windows are boarded up, and nothing to buy except a few second-hand goods: I tried to get a cigarette lighter for Father's birthday, but there wasn't one to be had anywhere, nor even a watch.

September 9

This is the 47th anniversary of our wedding-day, so Father and I have celebrated by going out to lunch at the Marina Cafe at Portelet; not much of a lunch, but we enjoyed the outing and the little change.

September 16

This is a very sad day for Jersey, and indeed for all the Channel Islands. Yesterday an order came direct from Berlin that all English people between 16 and 70 not born in the Channel Islands would be taken to Germany, and we think this is a reprisal for all the bombing done by the R.A.F. in Germany; and that all who are taken from here will be placed in a district likely to be badly bombed. I cannot tell you of the sorrow and indignation of the whole Island, for there has been nothing here to warrant such an action.

The worst of it is, an Englishman has to take all his family with him, and there are so many who have little children. They only had twenty-four hours' notice, and were only allowed to take. a small suitcase and one blanket, a knife and fork, spoon and small bowl for food, and not more than £1. A great many English girls were married today to Jersey boys in order to remain here.

Father went to town this afternoon, and said it was a pitiful sight to see little families walking to town and to the boat. No one was allowed on the Pier to see them off, and the whole place was alive with German guards. They even had machine-guns on the route in case of a rebellion, but what would have been the use ? Nothing could be done -- one simply has to obey. Six hundred left today and it is estimated there will be three thousand more. So many of our friends have to go; we are very thankful that many evacuated before this.

September 23

A great many more have gone since the first lot, and our friends the Cradwicks were supposed to go and had packed up and left their home and gone to the Pier, when fortunately for them the two boats were full up, and quite a number of people were left and told they could go home as no more were wanted.

You can imagine the joy they felt to be free again - even though so many had broken up their homes, and came back to empty houses late at night, but the neighbours were very kind and helped all they could.

We were delighted that the Cradwicks did not go, and they came to see us the next day, but our poor little Daisy Cracknell had to go with her husband, and I hear she was so wonderfully brave over it.

October 19

In the midst of all this terrible business we have had our share of trouble and trial. The death of our darling Babbo has been a shattering blow to us all, and I cannot realize that it is true. Father feels it terribly, too, and has been so sweet and comforting to me. I don't know what I should have done without him. We have had heaps of letters of sympathy, which have also helped, but I feel heart-broken, and longing so for you all to come home again, but my darling Babbo will never come again. I am not at all brave, but cry and cry.

The day before this news came, I was so happy, as we had had three Red Cross letters, one from Emmie, one from Doreen and one from Babbo, in which she said her health was poor and that she had received no news from home.

Since then I have felt it so that she never received my letter after she left Jersey, and I fear that she fretted over it. It is so awful not to know any details, and we are just longing for the next batch of letters to come. Poor Dick ! What a blow for him ! for I know how he loved her, and how awful he will feel that she was taken when he was not with her, and the children too my heart aches for them, and am wondering what has been done about them. To think all this happened over four months before we heard of it. When will this dreadful war be over, and when shall we be able to get proper letters from you ?

November 28

I have not had the heart to write lately, but must try and remember all that has happened. Everything is very quiet here, and a lot of soldiers have gone away -- but the Russians are a trial - poor things; they are half starved and very badly treated by the Germans, and so they come round begging and stealing when they get a chance. We are not allowed to give them food, and it's so distressing to have to refuse them.

There have been such a lot of robberies lately, and the other night a Russian got into a house, and the owner attacked him and was killed by the Russian, and the man's sister also badly hurt. We have to keep all the doors locked, and if I am alone I don't open to any Russians. There is still a lot of Black Market, and people are paying terrific prices; for instance, £6 for one pound of tea,£1for a pound of sugar, 15/- a lb.for pork,3/- a lb. for beans, £1 for lb. of butter, and so on.

December 9

We have had two Red Cross letters today, one from Emmie saying Ivan and Douglas both have a son. Also one from Melville sympathizing about Babbo. Dorothy rang up today, they had one from Olive, and that Kathleen has a son. We are so pleased that all is over and well, and wonder what they will call him.

We still do not know where Kathleen is living -- Dulcie has put the announcement of the birth as "Somewhere in Great Britain !". 

An Occupation Diary – Part 8

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

The Pilot at that time was facing major financial problems, and printing this diary helped to win back readers.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 8

June 12, 1942

A little time ago, an order came out that all the Wireless sets were to be given up by the 20th and in the meantime some foolish persons sent out leaflets telling people not to give up their sets, which of course upset our friends and they promptly arrested ten prominent Jerseymen, Harold Giffard being one and Tony Huelin another. We are particularly sorry for these two, as Giffard had such a long stretch of prison a year ago and is in very poor health. Tony's wife is expecting a baby any day and it must be awful for her. They are all in ordinary cells and no one allowed to see them.

Unless the culprits confess before the 30th, these ten men will be sent to concentration camps in France or Germany.

Everyone was very sad at giving up their sets, and we shall never see them again. It is so awful not to know what is going on, especially as the news was not too good last week. We hear that some people have kept hidden very small sets and are listening in to the midnight news, so we may hear scraps sometimes - but it may also get the whole Island into serious trouble.

July 19

Uncle Wilfred has taken great interest in my Diary, and has had it typed and bound, up to June 12th. It is awfully good of him, and I am so pleased with it - as I shall now be able to send it to you when the War is over. My writing is so bad now that you would scarcely be able to read it otherwise.

This is the second instalment, and I will continue from where I left off - as I was not able to write much at Pontac, owing to all my gadding about!

My first visit was to Maryland - where Gertrude and Wilfred are living. It is such a lovely place -the garden a mass or roses - not forgetting the lovely view. We had a fine lunch in the lounge hall, and tea in the drawing room, which is a charming room, and Gertrude had arranged so beautifully. They were both so sweet to me, and I did enjoy myself. Wilfred had fetched me in the chair, and took me home again.

There has been a fear of smallpox in the Island - owing to there being such a fearful crowd of foreigners here whom the Germans had brought over for labour - and so the public were advised to be vaccinated - many people were quite ill after it. Poor little Jennifer had a bad time and was in bed several days. Nancy was quite all right, and Dulcie did not "take" at all and was done again, which still did not take.

I had a lovely day with Jim at The Little White House. She had a tin of tongue for lunch, which was a great luxury these hard times - also a bottle of wine. Everyone was so generous in bringing out their treasured stores, and I felt so honoured to be made so welcome.

On Sunday evening Nancy took me to see Gerti Cole at Fauvic - it was such a lovely walk as she took me through the lanes, and actually ran with me all down Fauvic Hill people did stare. On our way back we called to see Doris and Phil in their lovely home at La Rocque. They too had invested in a goat, and were almost as thrilled as if it were a baby.

The last Sunday I went to St Clement's Church. Dulcie cycled as we were rather late, and Jennifer took me in the chair and ran all the way. I saw quite a number of old friends there - Mr Blampied and Auntie Rose and others. After lunch Dulcie took me to see Mrs Le Quesne and we had tea in their beautiful garden. Everyone said how well I looked and that I walked so much better than I did last year. The next day I had a car to bring me home, and Gertrude had asked me to stop at the gate and say goodbye - she was there with a dainty little tea on a tray, wasn't it sweet of her!

My next stop was at Black Rock, where Mrs Pearce and Auntie Flo were waiting to say goodbye and give me a beautiful bouquet of carnations.

July 28

Father took me to Church on Sunday evening and we went through our favourite walk, the old railway line, which is very lovely. It was a "Musical Service" and very good too. We brought the -Rev Balleine back with us to dinner, and he helped push me up the hill. We had a very nice meal of tinned salmon, salad, tomatoes and potatoes, and a milk mould and jam to follow. Dulcie and the children came out on Tuesday and brought their lunch with them, and then set off for a long ride through St Brelade's and on to Corbière, to see all the changes the Germans have made - their huge camps, railways and tunnels.

On Wednesday all the tanks passed here on their way to St Brelade's for manoeuvres, they looked terrible, and made such a noise.

August 2

I forgot to tell you that our nice maid got married at Easter, and I went to St Brelade's Church to see the wedding.

We were very fortunate in getting another girl, though much younger (only fifteen) but quite as good, and so nice. She lives quite near here, so I am able to get her for an afternoon occasionally, and she takes me out in my chair.

Last Friday she took me to Petit Port and we called to see Mrs Le Neveu. I was very shocked to hear that the Germans had taken Mrs Hedges' bungalow right away - there were six rooms, and nothing left but the chimney - all the furniture wrecked or stolen. Donaldson's bungalow has suffered the same fate, and several others.

It is Babbo's birthday today, and I am longing to hear from her again --- and thinking so much about her, hoping she has had my letter by now.

As you know, I cannot do any sewing at all, and so Daisy comes fairly often and does all the mending and renovating, generally the days Father goes to town, and I am so glad to have her company. She is such a dear little soul, and seems to love coming. Dulcie and Ada carne yesterday and told us they had not been able to get as far as Corbière the other day, as the Germans were firing across the road, and turned them back.

Just after lunch today we saw a terribly sad sight. Quite a thousand Russian prisoners passed on their way to a camp at La Moye, having walked all the way from the pier, they looked terribly ragged, dirty and almost fainting, and holding each other up. It was really heart-breaking to see them. Father and I went to the gate to see them pass, and Father said to one "Russia?" He answered "Ukraine". 1 felt so distressed for them, and thought of how bravely they had fought for us.

Ever since the raid on Exeter I have felt very anxious about Emmie, Ruth and Rosemary, and longing to hear they are safe. I had a message today from Emmie, but it was sent 26th March, before the raid, so I am still feeling very anxious.

An Occupation Diary – Part 7

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

The Pilot at that time was facing major financial problems, and printing this diary helped to win back readers.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 7
October 27, 1941

We hear now that the Germans are in our house again and have camouflaged it by painting it green and yellow.

The Weeks have had to turn out of their house, also old Mrs Le Brocq - there is supposed to be fifteen thousand troops coming soon, so that almost every house will be occupied - they have even taken Victoria College and the boys have to go to Halkett Place School.

Last Thursday night we were nearly blown out of bed by explosions - a British plane came over and dropped a lot of bombs, but no one was hurt, though several houses were wrecked. The Germans' firing on it was terrific and shook the house terribly - I was glad when it was over, but the plane got safely away.

Last week a lot of foolish people painted a huge lot of V's in the Square and other places, so for reprisal those districts have to give up their radio sets and the men to do patrol duty every night -it's too bad that so many innocent people should have to suffer for the folly of a few others.

December 29

Once again Xmas has come and gone. Father and I were quite alone and were quite happy listening to the wireless - King's speech and Christmas Carols- Father had to go to Church in the morning, so we had our dinner at night. A lovely chicken which Mrs Le Neveu had given us and Father cooked it beautifully with the etcs; for dessert we had fruit salad, nuts and cherry brandy - the brandy was a present from Percy Dupre -no Christmas pudding, but Dulcie made us a Christmas cake. She had also given us a big boiling fowl two weeks ago, and a lovely roasting one the Sunday before Christmas, so we invited the Rev. G. Balleine to dinner that evening and we all enjoyed it immensely,

Of course, we spoke of you all and wondered where you all were, hoping you were having a happy time, and that John was on leave and able to spend it with some of you.

March 20, 1942

Such a long time since I wrote, as I find it more difficult than ever, but my general health is much better and they all say how well I look, but of course I have not been able to go out at all as it's been so cold, but getting much warmer now and the flowers are coming out in the garden.

There has been a lot of "Black Market" and people have paid five and six shillings a pound for meat and twenty shillings a pound for sugar - but that is being stopped now.

Our meat bill for the week is only 1/9. Some days we only have soup for lunch and porridge for our evening meal and we are always hungry, especially Father.

I told you about Victoria College being taken over by the Germans, and some time ago they took the Girls College and the girls had to go to Coie Hall, much to their disgust.

A Tank Corps has lately come over and the other day I saw eight huge tanks pass here, they looked terrible and made a fearful noise.

The RAF often pass over here at night, to bomb France, and then the big guns all over the, Island start shooting - the noise is terrific, the house shakes and all doors and windows rattle - I don't like it at all, as it often gives me palpitation and if I am alone I get very nervous. Last night they started at twelve and went on till after three and I scarcely slept at all, and feel rather a wreck today. I am feeling rather nervous about this house too, as several families have been turned out of their homes, with only forty-eight hours' notice.

The Germans have done such a lot of damage to Moorings - they have even taken away the bath, taken away the shelves and stuck their daggers through the doors, and had started to break up the furniture till we got it away.

Most people have suffered terribly with the cold this winter, as there is no coal - wood is rationed and hardly anyone can light a fire till tea time. Gertrude and Jim say they have never felt so cold in their lives and have had terrible chilblains. We have been most lucky as Auntie and I both had got in a good stock before the Occupation, though I don't know what we shall do next winter if the war continues - we are only allowed a small ration of gas, and so have to do a lot of cooking on the lounge fire.

We have had to live mostly on vegetables and been lucky to have this garden, but now we cannot get the seed for this year's growth and is a very poor look-out.

The tea ration was finished about six months ago and people are making it with either carrot or beetroot. We are lucky as Auntie Annie gave us some at Christmas and Leslie has lately sent a three-pound tin.

April 3

My 71st birthday and such a happy day - everyone so good to me. Auntie Flo could not come as the buses are so difficult now, but Dorothy cycled out and brought some lovely jelly, also Dulcie and the children with presents of various food stuffs. The Cradwicks came yesterday and brought home-made marmalade - Father gave me a bottle of cherry brandy.

An Occupation Diary – Part 6

In 1972, the Pilot magazine began an exclusive serialisation of private letters from the late Mrs G Luce de Pre, which had taken the form of letters written to her absent children and grand-children, covering the period July 9 1940 to June 6 1945.

The Pilot at that time was facing major financial problems, and printing this diary helped to win back readers.

I suspect it has not been read much since then, 45 years ago, so here is a second chance in this special 70th Anniversary year to read it.

An Occupation Diary – Part 6

August 2, 1941

My dear Babbo's birthday today and our loving wishes go out to her wherever she is. Last Sunday, Father took me to Church in the evening, as it was a special service - I went in my wheelchair, which he took right into Church and I sat in it all the time. It was such a treat to hear him playing the organ again and I did enjoy it all. Coming back, we came along the old railway line, which is really beautiful now.

I am sure you will all be very sorry to hear we have lost our dear little Sandy - we think he must have been poisoned, as he was only ill such a short time. We have felt it very much, for he was such a sweet cat and I know how very sorry John will be.

The other night, as I was just going to bed, there was a terrific explosion which shook the house and made all the windows rattle - the next day we heard that a British plane had come over and was fired on by the Germans but fortunately did not hit it.

Food is very scarce now and we are living practically on French beans and potatoes - there is no flour to be had and people are making it out of potatoes, which is very good, but a trouble to make.

We are bartering some beans for flour. People are also making coffee out of parsnips Dulcie makes a lot as they drink mostly coffee and she is going to let us have two of their rations of tea.

We only get two ounces of tea a week between us and are only able to make tea once a day and then pour boiling water on the old tea leaves for the next meal. Very soon there will be no tea at all. There has been no cocoa for months and I don't know what Auntie Emmie would do if she were here, as she drinks nothing else.

September 2

I have just returned from a week's holiday at Holmehurst. Flo, Percy and Dorothy were there as well and it was so lovely to be all together again. I had not seen Flo for three months and was shocked to see the change in her, she had lost 2 1/2 stones since I last saw her, and has not been at aII well

Percy and Queenie were wonderfully kind and couldn't do enough for us - they gave us such beautiful meals, which we all enjoyed so much, after the light diet we get now-a-days. Both Flo and I feel so much better for the change and good food.

As usual, Dorothy was most kind in helping me to dress and do my hair. She also borrowed a wheelchair and took me to see Auntie Annie one day. Another day she took me to Gaudins to meet Gertrude and Jim, Flo came too and we were all so pleased to meet again.

We had to take our own food, as Gaudins only provide a cup of tea for each person.

I haven't told you about the nice girl we have had for the last seven months. She comes at nine till twelve every day, gets my breakfast ready and when I get up about eleven, she helps me dress and do my hair. I have also the District Nurse to come and bath me twice a week, which is very nice.

Oh ! I must tell you how I made the journey to Holmehurst - Percy sent one of his smaller empty vans and put an armchair in it. I sat in the chair and Father and the driver lifted me right in. It was so comfortable and quick and they lifted me straight into the house, where I had such a welcome. Father stayed for dinner, and again on Sunday. I came back the same way. Everyone is so good to me, far more than I deserve.

September 6

Our dear Doreen's birthday today and we send her our loving wishes, with the hope that we shall soon all meet again. This long parting from her is very hard to bear and I fear sometimes I shall never see her again - but that is only sometimes, when I feel rather downhearted. Michael had his birthday the end of July and must be fifteen now, and am sure is a very dear boy. He has such a lovely expression I wonder if he is still at school.

Still no letters come for us and there have been thousands come to Jersey just lately. Some people get such a lot and others get none. Val has had over thirty from his wife and Auntie Gertrude a lot from Derek. I do so long to hear from John, as we have had none from hint yet and I'm always dreading he may be sent overseas. We should like to hear of Dick, too.

September 9

The 46th anniversary of our wedding day and to my great joy I had a Red Cross letter from dear Emmie. It was lovely to hear from her again and that she is pleased we are living in her house. There are a nice lot of apples in the garden, but cannot make any jam as we have no sugar, only getting 6 ozs. a week.

September 22

Father's birthday today and such a lovely day that we thought we would like to celebrate. So we set off in my "chair" to Portelet, as we had heard there was a cafe where they gave a light lunch, and it was quite good. stuffed marrow, cabbage and potatoes, and a little rice mould. There were lots of Germans about, but we don't take any notice of them now. A lot went away lately and two thousand more came.

We heard that the Germans had left Moorings and so I determined to go there one day and have a look round. Adele, our maid, took me in the chair and as I had the key, we went in. The house was rather in a mess. All the cupboards and drawers out on to the floor and locks broken and several things missing. Only one bed there and, worst of all, they had taken my lovely oak gate-legged table.


I should like to move all the furniture, but am afraid, as there was an order that no one must move any, and one might be imprisoned for doing so.

The house is sure to be occupied again, and there would be trouble if the furniture was gone.

October 17

Since I last wrote I have been to Moorings again, and spent a day there, and as there were no Germans about, we decided to move everything except the very big pieces, like the dresser, and the next day got it all away by a horse and van. We brought a lot here and the rest at Adele's home where they have an empty room - I feel so relieved and so far nothing has been said - and if they want to occupy it again, will simply take what they want from some other house.