My two youngest sisters were under age, and special permission was granted to allow them residence at the convent under the supervision of a governess. The arrangement suited me as we would be together, and I could continue to spend time with them. What we missed most was the bedtime stories with my father when he was home. At first it was strange, but soon we accustomed ourselves to his absence, for we were very proud that our father was in the air force defending against the Nazi invasion of North Africa. The radio broadcasts reported that Rommel the German general was causing havoc, and capturing many of the Allied soldiers, and imprisoning them in internment camps somewhere in North Africa. The staff and students at the convent were kept busy knitting scarves and socks for the troops. And, we were instructed in first aid classes, conducted by the Red Cross, in case we were required to help, as many nurses were sent to the front. Blackout curtains were installed as a precaution in the event of an air raid. This seemed unnecessary as we believed it most unlikely that the war would reach South Africa. Letters from my father arrived rather infrequently and post marked somewhere in North Africa. After a while they stopped.
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August 2019
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