As there were one thousand and five hundred internees in our camp and we were to be flown out in alphabetical order at war's end," Murray came quite low on the list so we had several weeks to wait.
My younger brother, Lieutenant Colonel James McMullan, came with a General to our camp to advise and help people to get back to their homes. We sat at a table in the camp yard and interviewed hundreds of people. I only saw him for one evening. We had so much to say to each other but he promised to see me again as soon as he had been to Chungking. As he was a fluent Chinese speaker, he was to be given an important mission. The next day, our British Representatives had to leave. I was so proud of him and his fine war record and looked forward eagerly to seeing him again soon.
A very terrible thing happened. Their plane crashed over the Hump on the way to Chungking and all on board were killed.
I was the last to know this bad news as our friends put off telling me until we arrived in Tsingtau where we were to stay until we could make further plans.
We could not return to our home in Chefoo as we heard that, as soon as the Japanese left, the Communists went in and would not have any of us. There seemed little hope of getting home so we stayed in a community centre with other Chefusians. Our second daughter took seriously ill and was twelve weeks in hospital. After much prayer, and great care, and courage and determination on her part, she began to improve. Our youngest girl caught diphtheria and I stayed in hospital with her. Later, when we thought our troubles were nearly over, she had acute appendicitis. However, she recovered from this as well.
Our British Consul advised all Britishers to leave China. As we could see no chance of returning to Chefoo and we were all in a pretty low state of health, we decided to sail on the Empress of Australia. A few passengers were from various camps but the rest of the travellers were troops going home to England.
Our two boys had gone on before us - Peter to Australia where he found work on a fruit farm; Jim went to Scotland and we decided to go there to join him.
We arrived in England on a dark November afternoon. We felt very lost and homeless until Jim met us... he was full of encouragement.
My husband tried everywhere to find a job but was told that he was too old - he was barely fifty.
We stayed in a camp for displaced persons in Bridge-of Weir. We longed to have a home of our own as we had had enough of communal living. We were eager to do something useful but only factory workers seemed to be able to find work.
However, finally I heard that a cook caterer was wanted in a factory nearby. As it was within walking distance, I applied for the job. I had no special qualifications but decided to have a go and quickly picked up the work. I had three assistants and we were soon preparing appetising meals for sixty people. It was quite a novel experience and a preparation for the work God had in store for me.
Douglas still had no permanent work but, one day, we saw an advertisement in a newspaper wanting Wardens for an Old Folks' Home in Buckingham, England. Douglas suggested that I go down to be interviewed by the Committee and to see what the job entailed. I did this and was most attracted to the lovely old building and, when I met the old people, I was sure that I could make them happy. I was asked if I could cook as the cook was leaving and, when a new one came, she would be given days off when I would need to do the cooking. My experience at the Scottish factory was of great benefit to me. The Committee wanted to see Douglas and, in any case, I would not decide to take the job unless he felt happy about it.
To make a long story short, we were accepted and soon our two girls and ourselves were settling in at the Home.
Douglas and I were both very happy in the Home and did all we could to make our old folk very happy too and at home with us. We thought it very important for the old people to pursue their hobbies. One of our guests wrote stories; another wrote poems and played the piano; another loved gardening and had a special patch of his own where he grew flowers which he gave to his special lady friends. We had musical evenings when all who cared to could display their talents. I played the piano and we had very happy times at our sing-songs. One lady made cuddly toys and she set the others to making fancy goods to sell at sales of work. Whatever a person's age, he or she is still an individual and it is by keeping up with one's interests that we grow old gracefully.
After almost ten years in this congenial place, my very dear One died suddenly of thrombosis. I was stunned with the shock of losing the One who had been through so much with me. For ten years we had worked together and, after having his constant companionship for so long, the loss was dreadful. I was invited to stay on but, at the time, I felt I could not bear to be there where everything would remind me of our happy times together. I waited until the Committee found a suitable husband and wife to take our place.
Nothing would ever be the same for me but I knew I had to be a strength and guide to our children.
Douglas was reliable, gentle, and constantly thoughtful for others.
I found a little house to live in. It was rather dilapidated but the children helped me to get it in order and worked hard to make it comfortable.
Both our younger daughters are married now and live close by where we see each other every day, I have great joy in my grandchildren - three granddaughters and eleven grandsons. Only four are nearby. Our Chinese friends would consider me very lucky to have so many grandsons.
Our two boys had gone on before us - Peter to Australia where he found work on a fruit farm; Jim went to Scotland and we decided to go there to join him.