My mother and I joined Anthea and her mother when they moved to the country to avoid air raids in our home area as we lived near each other in Bromley. Anthea and I had a great time in Cambridgeshire - we had the run of the farm where we stayed , such freedom.  There was an American air base nearby and we used to see the airmen travel past where we lived and would run after the jeeps calling out 'Got any gum chum' ! Goodness knows what parents these days would make of that! We attended the local village school - comprised of one large room - 5- 8 year olds one side and 9 -11year olds the other side. Anthea with her open sunny personality soon made friends with the locals so I as a rather shy child benefited from having such a lovely friend. Our friendship continued through out our childhood and teenage years and although when we both married and moved several times , making  regular contact difficult (no mobile phones in those days) we did still remain in touch. This became easier when Anthea and Roy moved back to E Sussex and it was good to have more regular contact. 

My memories of Anthea will always be her ready smile, ability to laugh and enjoy life and her warm welcome whenever we met. I will so miss her but will have the memories to hold. Goodbye my good friend and God bless.x