THE local public was encouraged to invite convalescent soldiers out to tea, but advised not to ask them questions like “did you see any Germans?”, “were you frightened?” and “do you want to go back?”

On several occasions, my grandparents entertained a Channel Islander whose party trick was whipping the cloth off the tea-table without disturbing the crockery!

These soldiers (left) are being treated to a ride out.

In 1917, the pupils of Stanbury Board School invited 60 soldiers to tea. “Fifteen motor cars in the village caused quite a stir,” headmaster Jonas Bradley recorded in his log-book.