|
My most outstanding memory of events on the day war broke out was hearing the
Marseillaise being sung in a British West African colony.
As a member of the Sierra Leone European Reserve of the Royal West African
Frontier Force, I had been called up for full time service some ten days before and had
taken my platoon into forward positions assisting in erecting a double apron barbed
wire fence around the Kissy oil tank installation and setting up look out positions
along Lumley Beach in case of sea raids. Incidentally, while adequate arrangements had
been made to supply rations to the African troops up forward, the officers mess had not
so far been able to extend its services to cover my additional reserves so that my wife -
as others - was required to keep me supplied, quite an amicable set up! In true Girl
Guide tradition, my wife fashioned a haybox to carry my food in and so ensured its heat
on arrival.
On the evening of 2 September we had withdrawn to forward reserve and were
bivouacked on the covered verandah of the Freetown Law Courts in the centre of the
city and it was here the following morning that I heard the fateful announcement over
the local radio. Very shortly afterwards there was shouting in the distance - No, it was
men singing! And then they came into view; ten employees of C.F.A.O., a French
trading firm, marching full abreast with arms locked singing the Marseillaise in very
loud tone. Straight up George Street they came, past the Legislative Council Building
and, doffing their headgear as they passed the War Memorial, they continued uphill
towards Tower Hill without, it seemed, dropping a note. Some little time later they made
the return journey, still ten abreast, still singing the Marseillaise in top voice. A most
inspiring episode at such a time. They had visited Government House to pay respects by
signing the Governor's book.
And the rice pudding? Oh, yes! Some two hours later, after the African troops had
been briefed on the news, my wife arrived with my food to be met at the Law Courts
entrance by a stony stare and fixed bayonet! The sentry knew exactly "Who went
where'', but there was a war on now. However, the African sergeant was able to whisper
to my wife that the password for the day (war broke out) was 'Rice Pudding'.
|
