Hill House Veterans Relive Wartime Experiences

Abbeyfield Veterans Relive Wartime Experiences

The trip took residents of Hill House, Stan, Carey, Derrick, and Mervyn to the recently reopened WW2 Nissen Hut and Upottery Airfield Heritage Centre, located near their home in Dunkeswell.

Stan, Carey, Derrick, and Mervyn, all veterans of World War II, were able to relive their wartime experiences at the center. Sitting once again in the cockpit of a Lancaster Bomber sparked memories, and they were particularly interested in a "so-called unlucky mascot" recovered from a downed German Heinkel He 111 plane.

Hill House, managed by The Abbeyfield Society, focuses on dementia care and regularly organizes outings and activities to stimulate memories and encourage residents to share their life stories.

Stan, a former aircraft engineer, shared, "It brought back memories of seeing planes return without their full crew. It was a difficult time, but it made us appreciate what we had. I befriended American airmen – their food was much better than ours! They'd show up with incredible sandwiches with huge slices of ham – I can still picture and taste them!"

Derrick, a lifelong Dunkeswell resident, added,

"I remember when they built the airfield! The American airmen used to come to our local pub, The Royal Oak, and we'd have great evenings, maybe a bit too much fun!"

Following the visit, the residents put their baking skills to the test, whipping up potato shortbread using a recipe from a museum cookbook.

Nicola Trueman, the home's Activities Coordinator, commented on the different culinary experience:

"Our residents usually enjoy three home-cooked meals tailored to their preferences. The shortbread was something new we tried, unsure of the reception. Thankfully, we were all pleasantly surprised by the taste and texture."

Hill House offers residents a comfortable and familiar environment. They enjoy meals together in a shared dining room, private en-suite rooms, a communal lounge, a conservatory, a hair salon, and beautiful landscaped gardens with stunning views of the Otter Valley and Devon countryside.

The home upholds Abbeyfield's core values – companionship to combat loneliness and a strong sense of community, encouraging residents to maintain existing local connections and build new friendships. Additionally, personalized care plans ensure each resident receives the necessary support for an enhanced quality of life. 

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