[NOTE: Translation of pp 367 and 368 of Tome 1 and 2 from the Archive Department of the Naval War Records offices in Cherbourg. Translated by Sheila Little. A version of these reminiscences with illustrations and copies of documents is held in the Westcountry Studies Library in Exeter. See also Reg Little's accounts of Growing up in wartime Kingswear and Kingswear business from the 1930s to the 1950s.]

THE BASE AT DARTMOUTH
The war presented various ups and downs in an otherwise well-regulated life. A base for the ships was established in the Dart estuary abd the coastal forces took over the station hotel at Kingswear (The Royal Dart Hotel). Kingswear faces Dartmouth on the other side of the river. The French officers were billeted at Longford, a delicious little hotel(?) surrounded with bushes. It had large bay windows and a terrace overlooking the waters of the Dart.

From there could be seen the boats surrounding the supply ship BELFAST. They were clustered like chicks around a mother hen. The Free French sailors made good housekeeping with the British sailors at the base. During the day ships were frequently alongside the jetty and the torpedo shed quay; work was done on the torpedos ang tubes, tanks were filled with fuel. They were in charge of a Master Engineer Mechanic, whom they consulted about- all difficulties. As for the French crews, they were housed at Brookhill, twenty minutes from the village near the mouth of the Dart. Brookhill was a large house, lost in the midst of a 3Km long park, full of ancient trees. At the door a sailor mounted guard beside a Free French Flag -the cross of Lorraine.ln the front of the house a beautiful terrace and carved balcony faced the river, many beautiful parasol pine trees giving the impression of scenery in many parts of Francew. In Spring, banks of flowers bloomed throughout the garden and the multicoloured blooms brightened the rooms of the officers and men.

THE ROUTINE
We were night-birds. Darkness protected us during the chase and gave us the element of surprise.

In Winter we used to set off at slow speed in the afternoons, an hour or two before sunset, we arrived as night was falling off the north coast of Britanny. When we re-entered the base dawn was breaking over the mouth of the Dart At this time in Dartmouth, as in other parts of Great Britain, one didn't see much of women, but there were WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service or Wrens as they were known) in their blue uniforms who had plenty to do with all their duties, mounting guard, sending and receiving signals etc., There were others who served breakfast., helped with repairs and cleaning, and with first aid for minor injuries.

Like night birds, we slept during the day and woke up at night to coincide with the movements of the enemy. Leisure time was sacred to music (Ah! Bach, Beethoven and Mozart were the favourites of the Free French. We also studied, rode horseback (Neptune knows why sailors always have to ride horses) took trips on bicycles to neighbouring parts and visited hotels on the other side of the river.

The times of enforced leisure -when we were not passing time learning about engines and radar -made for very long days. In Spring we were not operational for some hours each night.

Then we slept on an opal sea, the sound of the engines silenced in the middle of the channel. Then might begin the pursuit and the chase, or we might be en route for a rendezvous ignored by the enemy. Quite often a convoy guarded the transport of troops, material for munitions; we would receive important signals about the route and speed. Night has fallen: we are on watch; we get back on the route; there is darkness and uncertainty; we approach the coast and can hear the noises of the countryside and smell the woodsmoke -France! Suddenly in a whisper the voice of the Captain bending low over the men "Enemy at 800m to starboard" End of the watch, end of the silence! End of the night, with a roar of engines, tremendously strong, firing and explosions our torpedo found its mark in the enemy shipping passing by. On our return the sun was already bathing the Devon coast and casting a touch of gold on the hair of our constant Wrens!. It was a time of youth, of hope and of war. But where are the waves of yesterday?

NOTE
The Free French mixed well with local people and were popular. Several married local girls one of whom is Iris Crisp who married Pierre Cabellic.

They live in Douarnenez and we have visited them several times. Pierre tells us of the annual reunions of the Free French officers and men that are held there. These accounts and photos are being added to "Growing up in Wartime Kingswear' as they are relevant to an historic time

Eulogy - Leon Coquerel (Died November 22nd 1998)

M Leon Coquerel has been a long time friend of many people in Kingswear and Dartmouth (Coastal Towns in South Devon, England).

He arrived as Captain of the tug boat "Au be" in 1940 with many other "Free French" personnel. Leon took his new home to his heart -he made the acquaintance of many local residents including Ted and Doris Willing who kept the Bar in the Dart Hotel. They were the parents of my wife, and as Doris spoke some French, many of the newcomers spent a great deal of time in the Hotel chatting with friends. Just across the square, was "Longford" -the house in which the French Naval Officers were billeted. Interestingly, Phillipe de'Gaulle, General de'Gaulle's son, was in Kingswear during the war and lived in this house and was visited by his father.. At "Brookhill", a large house near the estuary of the River Dart, the remainder of the French naval personnel were billeted. After the war, Kingswear became the only place to be awarded a silver medal by General de'Gaulle and he also gave the Village a signed photograph, as a gesture of gratitude for the help given to the Free French during the war.

Leon became acquainted with Gertrude Perring, a friend of my wife's Aunt, and after the war, they married and lived in France. They returned to Dartmouth regularly so that both could keep in touch with family and friends. We sometimes saw Leon on his return visits but as he grew older, and Gertrude became more infirm, he used to return every August for the Dartmouth Regatta and always sought us out! We used to entertain him for Sunday lunch and he often stayed with my wife's aunt -Stella Knight.

When his wife, Gertrude died in 1994, he returned with her ashes to place in the River Dart, which they both loved so much. He continued to visit each August until this year and last year we visited him at his home in Le Havre for the first time. We admired him for his character and endearing personality and will miss him greatly.

We felt that as a family, who had been friendly with Leon for many years, that it would be fitting for a family member to represent the people who knew and loved him, during the war and since, to pay respects to a fine old gentleman.

To meet and talk to him about "old days and old ways" and things of "long ago" was a source of great pleasure to us. He will not be forgotten.

R E Little and Friends