Melksham Probus Club

Melksham Probus Club held their monthly lunch meeting at the Kings Arms Hotel on Tuesday 2nd April.

   The after-lunch speaker was Mrs Jean Parsons who was a teenager living in Guernsey when World War Two broke out in 1939.

   She recalled that many local men had been called up to serve with the British Forces. Consequently when the German forces invaded in 1940, there was little resistance and the whole island was quickly overrun. She could remember quite clearly one German plane landing on the airstrip and after half an hour departing, leaving Guernsey under German control.

   All traffic was ordered to drive on the right hand side of the road and a curfew was enforced between 10.00pm and 7.00am.

   The German military occupied many houses and there were some cases of looting. Most islanders grew their own fruit and vegetables, but other foods and essentials were in short supply. Wood from abandoned greenhouses was used for cooking and heating, as energy had to be saved.

   There were difficulties with education and health issues, but it was a case of making the best of the situation.

   There was a feeling of abandonment by the British Government and it was  a great relief to see a Red Cross boat landing with supplies when the island was liberated in May 1945.

   After this most interesting talk, there were many questions and a vote of thanks was given by Brian Jennings.

   Probus lunches are held on the first Tuesday of the month at the King’s Arms Hotel. New members are always welcome. Please contact the secretary Mr Kevin Hayes on 01225 360052.