The following are memories recalled by Mrs Joan Adams, as recorded by Hanover Housing Association in their book 'Tale of the Century' published in 1999.

Justbefore the war, I was training for veterinary work with the animal shelter atSt Helier on the Channel Island of Jersey. The job was very varied, as theyhad all types of pet animals and birds to treat and I enjoyed the work so much.

The animal shelter had a small ambulance which I used to drive and we were called out for all sorts of casualties. On one occasion I was called out to attend an Alsatian dog (also known as a German Shepherd) that had put his head into a tin to eat the contents and his nose and face were stuck in it.
Itwas a large dog and was very frightened and was desperately trying to releaseitself. I asked two of the sons of the family to hold the dog while I carefullyinched the tin from his already badly but nose. I patched him up afterwardsand he was still so frightened that he forgot to bite me.

I was in my late teens when World War II broke out. We were given 8 hours in which to evacuate or stay behind. I was on the last boat to leave the island and it took around 17 hours to reach Weymouth as we had to avoid mines all the way. It was very scary. Then just as I felt safe, the sound of the sirens greeted us as we docked. It was a trip I will never forget.