[303rd-Talk] VE DAY

[Maurice Paulk]

Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] VE DAY
BILL RUNNELS WROTE
 Maurice,
    It would appear that you had a full day on May 8, VE-Day. 
How in the world did you finesse a pass? Where did you go?  

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BILL - ET AL.----The pass was a total surprise as we were restricted. I'm not 
sure but I think Capt Joseph Freedman A/C Supply officer got several of us 
off the base. I believe that it was my regular paas time -- every fortnight--
[two weeks]. I didn't waste any time asking questions or getting off the base. 
Don't remember how I got here on VE day. I had two choices -- the train 
out of Northhampton or the bus to Coventery and then to Birmingham. Then 
a walk cross town to catch the double decker #25 to Tipton & I got off at Dudley, 
Worcestchire.
   Nice town-- on my first rip I saw no GIs. Iwas until just before D-day that a 
group of engineers & a group of blac quartemasters mnoved in. The town was
never the same. before that people spoke to me. My first trip after the moe in
no one spoke. The bobbies still did--as I spent several nights in the women's 
section of the jail - it was cleaner and the brought me an extra blanket & a 
mattress pad. This was before I started staying with Harold and his folks.. 
[Regie & Cissy Parkes] My English family. Think it was sometime in early
'43 that the chief  Constabul ask me if I had sent any pictures home. When 
I said not yet He called the photographer who came down & took a batch 
of pictures of me. This was a 12 midnight!!!!!!!!!!!!
The first night I stayed there They couldn't imagine anyone coming to the 
constabulary for shelter. I shared part of f Constbul MckBride's lunch--
caned beans & toast & bacon. Harold & I woule coming from a show 
[sometimes with girls] & as a bobbie would ride by He would holler 
G'noit Maurice". Mc Bride was the smallest on the force - 6'2-3"===
The chief was 6' & 4-5".

OOPS!! I got carried away!!!

Maurice