On Remembrance Sunday 10 November, we settled in our lounge at Loose Valley Care Home and watched the laying of the wreaths at the Cenotaph on television.
The marching service men, woman and serving soldiers gathered to pay their respects and we observed the two minute silence once Big Ben had chimed.
We have a resident called Grace who served in the women’s land army in 1940 when she was 16 years old and she wore her badge and WLA arm band with pride. She recalled memories of her time working the land, driving tractors, digging and tending to the chickens, saying it was hard work and long hours. She also remembers the doodlebugs and having to dive for cover!
We had a list of our residents’ ages in 1939 – the youngest had been one and the eldest 17 years old. Many had memories of being evacuated and wearing a brown luggage label on their coat.
Our residents made poppies for a wreath and cards for Remembrance and watched the film Warhorse in the afternoon.
It was a very special day, full of reminiscence.
