I was serving in No.1 company, 2nd battalion of the Czech Brigade when we were informed that a platoon was to be sent to Dr. Benes's residence in Aston Abbotts for guard duties. We were to relieve a platoon from the 1st battalion.
It was a depressing sight when we arrived. A row of tents in the pouring rain and Nisssen huts were being built by Italian prisoners.
We found out that our duties were not too onerous, one night guard duties in 3, every third afternoon and evening off with a liberty truck going to Aylesbury.
My friend Cpl. Ada Scheffel and I made use of it, and as the pubs were not open yet went into a cafe. We heard 2 girls at a neighbouring table speaking a sort of German and Ada, who was German himself, went over to investigate. It transpired they were Swiss au pair girls, which was OK, as friendships with German or Austrian girls were frowned upon. Their names were Anna and Louise and it was the beginning of a romance which was to last about a year.
When our tour of duty ended we applied immediately for the next one and were accepted, as Aston Abbotts was not too popular. We did altogether 3 runs, I remember a Christmas dinner and dance in the Bull's Head in Aylesbury, which must have been the high point of our stay.
It came to an end when our units were moved to Devon and a permanent guard unit was installed in Aston Abbotts. Anna's permit expired in Spring 1942 and being homesick she returned to Switzerland. Louise stayed on, but I do not know if she still kept contact with Ada.
I was transferred to the army driving school as an instructor and lost touch with Ada and did not meet him again until we went to France. Tragically he lost his life in November 1944 when the turret of his tank was hit by a bazooka.
This is about all I remember. Regrettably my memory is not as good as it was.
Kind regards,
Vojta.
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