A Wartime Christmas

An unusual festive ‘role’ recalled by Dick Fulford

Christmas 1940 – Aboard HM Yacht "Sister Ann" moored at the entrance to the River Fowey, Cornwall. My first draft and introduction to the Royal Navy, after 3 months of initial training. "Sister Ann" was the floating office and Wardroom of the Parent Ship for Coastal Forces Flotillas. Commander White RN Retired (very much retired) was the Captain; a very kindly old man whose one and only hobby appeared to be alcohol.

I was asked if I could use a typewriter. It was unwise to say "No" to any task in the Navy, so I was allotted my first sea-going job, to produce Christmas cards for the Captain. Someone had sent him a greeting card, and being 1940, when times were hard, it was of a basic standard and old Daddy White was eager to get it copied for his family and friends. So, armed with sundry sheets of Pusser’s toilet paper, I began one of my first naval duties – typing for the Captain on each sheet the following Christmas Greeting:

"Economy must be our watch-word this year.
Hard times we’ve undoubtedly got ‘em.
So please accept this just to wish you "good luck"
Which I do from the heart of my bottom".

It is fortunate for me that no grandchild has yet asked "What did you do in the war Grandad?"

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