Francesca Victoria (1920 - 2007)

“Grandma described World War II as an unforgettable experience filled with elements of fear and gratitude. The first incident that affected her happened a week after the birth of her first child on December 9th 1940. On the day of the baptism, instructions were received to drape windows, keep house lights off and remain in darkness. This was to prevent houses being visible to enemy planes. Accordingly, the Christening party was celebrated by candlelight.

“For over a year, Japanese attacks were dormant and then - on Easter Sunday - April 5th 1942, they resumed with greater intensity… Grandma had gone for Mass, leaving her 16-month-old baby at home with the nanny. Half an hour after Mass started, sirens went off, warning people to get into air-raid shelters. There was pandemonium at the church. Grandma could think only of her baby and, desperate to get home, she went home via the deserted side-streets when the police weren’t looking. On the way home, Grandma met her British neighbour, Mr James. He told her that he had instructed the nanny to take the baby and get under the wooden table if there was any bombing.

“Grandpa, who was away on business, called and said that he was safe and would return home soon. Not long after he returned, they received the news that Colombo harbour had been bombed. Grandma’s father-in-law wanted them to leave for India. They packed hurriedly and prepared to leave the country. No passports or visas were necessary; only a ticket needed to be purchased over the counter. They left that very night and were safe until the end of the War, when they returned home.”
- Michele Hepponstall