During the time when I was working up in the Gnoll Cinema (Neath) during World War II, I used to go up and have my tea break in a nice little café opposite the Gwyn Hall. At the café there were many members of the Forces and there was this one particular person (a sailor) who came to my table and asked me would I do him a favour. His liberty ship had been torpedoed and it was in Swansea, and they had word to say that they were not to write home for at least three months.
He had been brought up by his grandmother Aunt Mini and he asked me if I would I kindly send her a few words to say that he was alright but not to mention exactly where he was. He was a doctor on this liberty ship so I wrote to his Aunt Mini, and she was ever so pleased and from that time on she corresponded with me right up until she died in 1995.
During that time she used to send me lovely little parcels of silk stockings, and I think I was the only person in the village who had silk stockings. I was so proud my mother used to keep them in a jar for me in the bottom of my wardrobe. She also sent me cosmetics and very, very nice gifts and also when I got married she sent my husband nice things.
Many years later when Aunt Mini was apparently going on 93 and her eye sight was failing; all she wanted was to see me, and my husband very kindly booked me a flight out to Los Angeles. When I arrived there was a taxi waiting for me to take me to to meet Aunt Mini. I arrived and I was taken to this very large beautiful hotel.
When I went through the double doors there was a group of people and an old lady very, very petite, her hair was really blue. She was immaculate and had a nice cane with a silver top. I was greeted by then all. When I arrived at her house I had my bath seen to and after a while I got to know that Aunt Mini was a millionaire. While I was there, California was mine. She bought nice clothes for me and looked after me.
Now that Aunt Mini and her sisters have gone I'm corresponding with the daughter of Aunt Mini's sister who is in America. After all these years I'm still in contact with the same family that I started corresponding with during the Second World War.
Beryl Johnson
your comments
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Margaret Wright
What a lovely story, Beryl. And was that sailor, whose Aunt Mini back in America corresponded, the Don Hemphill who has replied above? I wonder how he fared for the rest of the war?
Mon Jun 15 15:40:12 2009
Don Hemphill USA
I was away from my squad and lost and tired, I sat on the side of a road opposite a small house. After about ten minutes a nice lady came from the house with a slice of bread and a cup of tea. I shall never forget that beautiful smile on her face and today I still drink tea, my coffee drinking friends can't understand why. Just another example of the kindness I received from those warweary citizens of the UK.
Mon Nov 3 15:56:42 2008
Jerry Gudgeon from Horley
A lovely story of lifetime friendship. What happened to the sailor?
Mon Oct 20 10:05:45 2008
Don Hemphill, Brookhaven, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Beryl. I enjoyed the account of my visit to Mumbles. I returned to England in 1945. Sorry for my mistake. I have found two famlies in the Bristol area who were very good to me. And Beryl, I shall never forget my time in in the U.K.
Wed Mar 19 09:37:03 2008
debra hamilton
I purchased an oil painting purchased from Sir John Cass College signed on back Beryl Johnson, it's a still life of white roses in a vase with some fruit around it, could this be done by you?
Tue Feb 5 12:55:23 2008
Don Hemphill U,S,A,
My name is Don Hemphill and sometime in 1944 we were at Mumbles to train for the landings in France. Out camp was at the top of a very high hill and as you looked down at the road below you could hear the the conversations of those who walked below. If you walked to the town below and had too many at the local pub, no worries, because that walk up he hill made you sober when you checked in at camp.
I remember I met some girl, who was in uniform, and she took me to a castle and I often wondered why I did not ask her more than I did about that wonderful building. I am 85 years old and still remember my wonderful days in England and Wales. I still have wonderful friends that I correspond with in Avonmouth, where my home base was. It must have been in August 1955 I received a seven day pass and made a visit to Avonmouth where I stayed with awonderful family.
Two things I wanted to do when in England and Wales. I did not go to Bude England, my hometown was Bude, Mississippi, and I did not return to Mumbles on my last trip to the UK. But know this I shall never forget the wonderful people I met when I was there.
Mon Sep 3 09:44:49 2007
T GlenisterI Pembroke
Heart warming tale, nice to know that there are nice genuine people on both sides of the pond.
Wed May 17 16:15:50 2006
Carole Kramer, from Park City, Utah, USA
Good story. It never ceases to amaze me how good people really are throughout the world. It's nice to know kindness exists.
Fri Apr 21 10:19:48 2006
Tom Glennon, Philadelphia
Beryl was very nice to a stanger and her kindness lead her to a lifetime of fond memories. Not many people would have taken the time to help the sailor.
Wed Feb 22 00:11:50 2006
garry llewelyn nantyffyllon maesteg
really enjoyed the story
Mon Feb 13 12:07:56 2006
Don Raynes:Auckland:New Zealand.
Nice story: Enjoyed it.
Tue Nov 29 19:23:29 2005
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