Grostenquin France

1954 - Memories of Grostenquin - Assorted Sources

Behind that manure pile on the left is the entrance to the famous "Ma Hemering" pub.

Her pub was not the cleanest, her beer not the best, the pickled eggs had green yolks, the urinal stunk and slugs crawled its walls, but Ma was much loved by all the airmen that knew her.

She had a heart as big as a house, and would lend anyone a "few mille" until payday. Just write your name and the amount in the book she kept under the counter.

When my tour was up, my wife and I went to say farewell to Ma and her son "Charlo" and drop off some clothes I no longer wanted. They fit Charlo perfectly, so Ma insisted on giving me a small bottle of brandy. Then she asked if I would look up some of the guys that had returned to Canada, still owing her money. I was astonished to see such a long list but I told her I would do my best. I did find one chap, and when I reminded him of his debt to this dear lady, he simply said he had paid, she must have made a mistake! I knew him well enough to know he was lying.

Ma also made the strongest Mirabel Schnapps in the world and you could buy a 1 litre bottle for about 1000 francs. One swig of this and smoke came out your ears.

430 Squadron Personnel Photos in Ma Hemerings pub

Top row (L-R) - C Bliss, unknown, unknown, unknown, Howard, unknown, Alex Johnson, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown.

Middle row (L-R) - Unknown, Gauthier, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Art Moreniz, unknown, Martin, unknown.

Bottom row (L-R) - Unknown, unknown, Shaw, unknown, unknown, Bill Steed, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown.