4th December 1939

The English visas came for Daddy and Marion, so we changed our plans and left for England. Very few people on board the Cross Channel steamer, Prince Charles. We had a first class cabin for mother, just opposite was Ambassador and his wife. One of the sailors asked Daddy: "Are you the Ambassador, Sir?" when we were going through boat drill. In case we struck a mine, we were shown lifeboat No. 2 on upper deck that we must go to. Our lifebelts were strapped on and worn during the whole trip. We remained close to French Coast as far as Cap Gris Nez which was silhouetted against a golden and glowing red sunset, as we passed. At this point, French destroyers came into view and close by two little fishing vessels. After dark we started to cross the Channel in a choppy sea, as a storm was brewing. Planes began to fly overhead, about six in all and across on the English side, were several British destroyers, chasing through the waters, with as a background the White Cliffs of Dover. An unforgettable scene. At this point, however, all but my husband became violently sea-sick. Marion was very surprised, as such a thing had never happened to her before. She sat very sstill and astonished. "It is by overcoming that we learn to overcome." Up till then the trip had been a joyous adventure for her. When we had to line up for passport examination, it was a pretty weak little girl whom the steward escorted downstairs and put into a deck chair. It was black-out before all the formalities were over, and by the light of a torch, we picked our way through the customs, along the quay, following the stretcher which two sailors were carrying, with grandma. We left Daddy at the customs and went on to our hotel, suddenly out of the blackness a policeman appeared with his flashlight and challenged us to stop. Finally a few minutes which seemed ages in the blackness, we found our hotel just across from the landing pier. Here we stayed one night and enjoyed our first big log fire in a huge lounge. Next morning we went on to London. A lovely 8 cylinder Packard ambulance met us at Charing Cross. Grandma, Marion and I got into it.

Daddy, Cooks man and baggage followed in a taxi. We drove past Buckingham Palace for Marion's sake and saw the Royal Standard flying. the King had just returned from a visit to France. He crossed to France the same time as we crossed to England, on 4th December 1939.

At Paddington Royal Western Hotel, we had two beautiful double rooms, with private baths and telephones.