Nanny Barbara - Bosmelet and the German Occupation

I have loaded these photograph previously but the date they were taken is important. The baby, Helene Soyer de Bosmelet was born at the Chateau in 1940, Gentien was born in London. 

When these photographs were taken, Britain and France were already at war with Germany - war was declared on September 3rd 1939. 

About 4 months after this photograph was taken, Diana de Bosmelet fled the Chateau to Marseilles with her baby and 3 year old Gentien, before the Germans occupied the Chateau. The family reunited and escaped, travelling through the South of France to Spain, eventually arriving at Lisbon Portugal.

1940 Helene's Christening with Gentien aged 3 and mother Diana de Bosmelet in the grounds of Chateau Bosmelet.

1940 Pierre de Bosmelet in the Uniform of First Lieutenant of The French Army 

What happened to Barbara? She, also had to 'run for her life.' It is not known how she managed to escape.  At this time it was known that Dieppe (the nearest port to Bosmelet) was blockaded so it just wouldn't be the case of travelling to the nearest port and getting the first boat available, the route was filled with terror and danger, German soldiers, artillery and bombing. 

I remember my Aunt Eleanor telling me that by the time Barbara arrived back in England she was in a terrible state. Eleanor said "Barbara had a break-down."  

Here is an example of refugees crowding the deck of HMS Venomous as it drew away from Boulogne on the 21st May 1940 "They were fired at by two German planes. They were told to lie down, and the British Sailors fired back and drove off the attacking German Aircraft." 

21st May 1940 HMS Venomous -  refugees leaving Boulogne for England 

I can only assume this would be similar to the way Barbara managed to escape back to England.

Sadly (like most people) I just didn't have the sense or take the time to ask Eleanor or Barbara about this terrifying ordeal.

Eventually the Baron, Baroness and their two children, Gentien and Helene escaped to Hollywood. This is a newspaper cutting of their arrival, after a fearful year of trying to avoid capture.