the Duke of Kent

The many hotels in Babbacombe were taken over, by the RAF at the beginning of the War, to house their new recruits.
1940/41 I was going home to lunch through the park from Babbacombe School, when I saw several airmen lined up awaiting inspection, a policeman and a small crowd were there, plus a man with a large camera. I went over and a woman I knew told me that thwe Duke of Kent was coming to inspect the men and pictures would be taken and we might get in a newspaper. A car drew up, the policeman told us all to stand back and a man in airforce uniform got out and proceeded to walk up and down the ranks
as he got near to me I shouted "He's got makeup on". Their was a gasp, the policeman told me to go home, the woman said she
would tell my Mother. I didn't know that in those days, makeup was normal for the cameras. I told my Mother, who was very put out, at my behaviour and came out with her usual"What sort of family will they think you are brought up in" My father thought it was funny

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