WW II History: Higher Barracks, Exeter, Devon, UK

Dear friends and family,

This week's blog entry is in honor of my friend Ray in Bethel, whom some of you know. Ray is 89 years old, and he and his son Bobby eat dinner at Plain Jane's regularly, and we are all part of the PJ's family.

During WW II, when Ray was only 19 --- so 70 years ago now --- he was stationed in Exeter in late 1943 and early 1944.  He was a medic, and he and his unit left Exeter and were deployed for the D Day invasion.  Over the past two years, Ray has brought many photos and war papers to show me at PJ's, and we've talked about his time in Exeter and his war experiences.  Just before I left to come to Exeter myself, he let me copy some official papers about what his battalion had done here, and that allowed me to do online research to figure out where the "Higher Barracks" of Exeter were.

Well, this is a bit of a surprise --- at least for me!  The former Higher Barracks of Exeter are practically in front of my house!  They were finally closed as a military place in the late 1990s, and the buildings were turned into private housing (attached houses, condos, etc.).  It took me 5 minutes to walk there, but only because I had to follow the roads.  If I had been a crow, I could have flown there in 30 seconds.  The northern end of the grounds, which are quite substantial, is nearly due east of my house, and just below the main southern perimeter road of the U. of Exeter. After I was done walking around and taking pictures, I took a "public footpath" that led me right to the perimeter road, precisely where lots of students always come pouring through a gate. I've always wondered what that gate and footpath led to!  And now, today, I know.

Also, given that we just had All Saints Day, I stood in front of the largest building, from the former barracks, and looked out over the quadrangle (or green), and I reflected on all the men and women who had been stationed there, including those like Ray who ended up being deployed for D Day.  And I said prayers for those who lived and came back home, like Ray, and those who did not.  I am happy to say that the sun was out most of the time, including during those moments, and it felt warm and bright standing there.  There is hope in All Saints Day, as I read just this morning!

Here's to Ray and to others who served.

Blessings to all,
Jane