TODAY I received some very sad news, that Miss Gwen Leach of Plymouth Street had died.

I am a veteran of WWII and was stationed at US Map Depot H4 on Drove Road, which is now a school.

We were a very small unit and it was not practical to set up a regular army camp, so we were billeted in the neighbourhood.

I stayed with Sydney Pierce at one time and with some good people named Browerman also in the area.

But my very fond memories were of Plymouth Street.

Lynn Wahl lived there with her husband Frank, and Gwen. Mrs Wahl, or Lady Lynn or Auntie Lynn as all of us in the service called her, opened her house and her heart to all of us. US, English, Aussie, anyone in uniform.

Gwen was a part of this and we all loved her as a person and for her indomitable spirit she never had a doubt as to the outcome of the war. Her house was a second home to many homesick GIs looking for a cup of tea and a welcome.

After the war we kept in touch. My wife and I have been back to Swindon many times and Gwen visited us. Aunt Lynn was a strong supporter of Guide Dogs for the Blind and after her death Gwen took up the job and stayed with it until her death. She was unique because she was un-selfish and gave herself to the cause.

People of Swindon you have lost a wonderful person and I, and the rest of us old veterans, have a lost a true friend. Not only as personal friends, but a friend of US/UK relations.

Now there are only three US still alive who passed through her home. We still correspond and we grieve for Lynn and Gwen and the end of an era.

If I ever get back to Swindon (I was there in October) I'll go back to the house and then to The Oxford to hoist a cold one to Lady Lynn and Gwen and all of the people of Swindon who took us in. Ta!

W E WULF

Davenport, Iowa, USA