Jean Bell

Jean Bell

DOB 05/10/1927

Jean was the first person I visited and interviewed. At age 92 her memory was sharp as a tack. She had a flirty wicked sense of humour. The oldest of all we met, she articulated lot's of colourful stories but all with the caveat that they couldn't be published. It would be too upsetting for some people and she didn't want to implicate anyone that was still alive. Every so often she fixed me with a stare and ask, "You are not going to publish that are you?"

So I listened with interest as the stories rolled out. The detail was amazing.

A couple of insights she would allow was how she felt at that time and a story about her mother.

For her the unexpected occupation was a dreadful interruption of what she hoped would be a great summer. She and her brother were champion island swimmers and mixed in the "The Pool Crowd". Jean hungered to get down to Havre Des Pas bathing pool and slip into the water.

This area was densely populated with Germans who were billeted close by.

She had told me that her mother's greatest loss during this time was a decent cup of tea. Substitutes had been created but they were far removed from a decent cuppa.

On the day they were allowed to pick up a Red Cross parcel, she went down into town and queued with her mum. The Germans seemed less officious than usual but they had a sad look about them. It was Jean's impression that they were more starved than the local population at this point but no parcel was stolen.

Arriving home they quickly opened the box and her mother became tearful as she lifted out a packet of tea. The kettle was put on, the tea brewed and then her mother took her first sip.

Intrigued, Jean asked to taste. It was disgusting she said, I didn't know what all the fuss was about.