Visit to Arnhem, 1947
by Mavis Arnold (née Cockroft)
THE YEAR WAS 1947. The war was over, everyone was looking to a bright future and we were off on what would be our first overseas trip!
I am writing these memories in the fullness of time....62 years gone!
If my memories fade a little I will try not to use my imagination too much.
Oldham High School students were invited as guests of the residents of Arnhem as a show of appreciation for the war efforts of our troops in the landing in Arnhem.
My first memory was buying a few goods to take to our hosts. We were asked to take food which they had not enjoyed for a long time. Remember that rationing was still on in England, but I took with me some tea, dripping and sugar! What a gift.
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It took a great deal of saving up the pennies to undertake the trip for many of us, but I know we were all very excited. We left from ....here my memory has deserted me....but somewhere on the east coast (...Harwich!), by ferry, arriving at the Hook of Holland. It was August and as you can see by the photograph, a typical English summer day! Taken on board the ferry to Holland. August 1947, Mavis Cockcroft, Alec Greenhalgh and Jean Arnold. (My future sister in law.) - On the wind swept deck of the ferry |
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Arnhem Railway Station in 1947. A post card bought at the time. We arrived here to meet our hosts.
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MY HOSTS IN ARNHEM.
I can now only speak for myself, although I have no doubt others had similar experiences to me.
My first host was a family of father, mother and two daughters, none of whom could speak any English. This was, to say the least, very hard for me. I stayed with them for only a few days, (we were there for two weeks I think), then I asked the organiser if I could move.
I went to a house with again father, mother and two daughters, all of whom spoke good English. This was much better for me, the house was in Velp, a suburb of Arnhem on a tree lined street, with good houses.
A further note about this family. I was told by other Dutch students that on this street in the war a very brutal event occurred.
As a reprisal for under ground activity in the area, the Germans went down the street, knocking on each door, whoever answered the door was shot, there and then; all excepting the house of my hosts. This was because the father had an engineering works and was doing work for the invaders. The family, shortly after my stay, emigrated to South Africa, Pretoria I think. I kept in touch for a while.
For all that they were good hosts to me, and I became very fond of the daughter nearest to my age.
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We were taken around to many places and sites of battle. The buildings were still badly scarred by bullet holes. The temporary bridge (Bailey Bridge?) was there and at the time, it being a very hot summer, it was being watered daily as it was made from mostly timber. I had the unfortunate experience of walking over the bridge at the time a man was using the hose and getting quite a good sprinkling, I was wearing a crepe dress! The ladies amongst you would know exactly what happened. I often wonder if it was just accidental?? |
We had a very pleasant excursion to Sonsbeek Park, just on the outskirts of Arnhem I think. Here we were entertained by a troop of children, singing and dancing. The one I remember very vividly was a rendition of Tea for Two, being danced and sung by a group of the children, dressed as penguins. This is now, and has been for a long time, one of my favourite songs. |
Another place we visited was of a totally different nature, we visited the site of the Arnhem landing. Remember this was August 1947, not long after the battle.
This remains one of the most moving, disturbing memories I have.
The landing area was now the cemetery, a square field surrounded by trees still holding the remnants of the parachutes of the British soldiers We saw rows and rows of white crosses bearing names of very young men, many only a little older than we were.
I cried so much my memory is hazy of details. We were told many stories about this landing, but all that is probably better told by others.
I have since revisited Arnhem, and now the cemetery has moved, and was nothing like the original, I still cried!
Although all this sounds a very restricted holiday we had great times, enjoying the sunshine and company of our Dutch friends.
We visited the pool many times, and on one occasion, not being accustomed to hot weather (I now live in Australia) I received a very bad dose of sunburn, I had to sleep on my stomach for a week. That was a well learnt lesson!
Taken at Douvert Baths, Arnhem.
29th August 1947
Mavis Cockcroft, Brenda ?,
Gordon Lawton.
I seem to remember taking many walks around the town and parks, meeting many residents, who were pleased to meet you and try out their English.
I would be very interested if anyone reading this, if you got this far!, was on the trip and has other memories!
Mavis Arnold (nee Cockcroft).
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