Kitty Curry

Kitty Curry

DOB 21/10/1929

Kitty was delightful. A sprightly woman with twinkly eyes, a sharp intellect and a lovely sense of humour.

An ex-teacher, she recounted sad facts such as the death of her mother who had died at the beginning of the occupation. This was told with a heartfelt stoicism. It's difficult enough to suffer the early death of a parent but under those circumstances and at her age it must have felt crushing. 

Her fathers garage had closed due to the lack of petrol. She told us of the first Christmas were the German's shared some of their "goodies." Of how cold it always felt. "We could never get warm."

"As kids we made the best of it. Playing tennis in the grounds of the convent. Adults bore the brunt but we thought it was rather exciting."

Kitty then delicately revealed a small letter weighing scale. "Do you know how we used this?"

"We would measure our rations on it. If you ate them before midday, too bad you spent the rest of the day hungry. Now you can see how little we got. Anyone who survived those day wastes nothing."

The end of the occupation was recognised by Kitty when she saw Germans throwing their belongings out of windows. The street littered with personal goods. In her mind was a profound sense of release "Good we can go now."

Liberation Day and Kitty was caught up in the excitement which swept away everything in its path. Lovely weather and crowds of smiling people.

I couldn't help but personally reflect on how after the euphoria of release must have come a great sense of loss for what they they had suffered. 

Kitty displayed all of those qualities we so greatly admire today.