[303rd-Talk] Christmas in England

[Maurice Paulk]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Van Pelt" To: "303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum" 
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] "Christmas (Eve) of 44" Poem


>  TO ALL THE VETERANS:  If you were in theater for a Christmas, 
how does that affect you today?  Do you have fond or bad memories 
from that time?  Just curious.
>  Bob

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BOB----I spent three Christmases with the 303rd. As a Supply Sgt in 
the A/C Supply I was not subjected to any stress of combat. Like I 
mentioned one other time we got passes every fortnight. [Unless
I goofed--& I did 2-3 times] The one Christmas I remember the best 
was that of '42. -  a friend from supply ask me to go with him. Couldn't 
undestand that as I knew he had a date. The reason came out---she 
had a friend. Also an ATS girl. That was my introduction to my first 
Enlgish lassie. [ 5' 2" honest!!!!!--I was 6'1"] We spent the holiday 
going to shows and eating. Well before the '44 holiday I was well 
established in a young man's home in Dudley Worcestershire. 
Breakfast in bed on Sunday morning & on cold nights a hot water 
bottle or a hot brick & feather ticks on the bed. I don't remember the 
year but think it was not Christmas day. We had a plum duff [pudding]
 & Mom Parks apologized profusely for not having any brandy to 
flame the pudding. As you probably have guessed I was treated as part 
of the family in my home away from home. Harold [the son] & I had a blast.
Believe it or not we were regular customers of the local coffee shop.

Maurice J. Paulk