Some Sunny Day - reminisces on eighty years together
Madge and Basil Lambert reflect on almost eighty years together and share some of the music that takes them back to the 1940s.
In 1944, twenty year old Madge Lambert stepped on a troopship bound for Chittagong in Burma, thousands of miles away from her home and family. Only recently qualified as a nurse, Madge had signed up to serve in the Burma campaign; and stationed near the frontline, she worked long and exhausting hours nursing the badly-injured soldiers in her care, finding strength in the company of other nurses. Some Sunny Day is the story of Madge's long-distance romance with Captain Basil Lambert, and of their courage and sacrifice.
In this piece, Madge and Basil reflect on almost eighty years together and share some of the music that takes them back to the 1940s.
Basil Lambert:
I still cannot believe that my first meeting with Madge ever took place, due to sudden movements of Allied forces; at any time - in the war zone, and later that our feelings for each other continued following my posting to Rangoon in 1945, and for the next 18 months, until we met again in 1947 at my parents' home in Woking.
My biggest thrill was being able to talk to her from Rangoon to Chittagong via Imphal, through the kindness of my friends in the Royal Signals field telephone system; a distance of well over 1,000 miles - and lasted some 3 to 4 minutes before they had to cut us off.
Following our marriage in 1948, Madge presented me with two lovely and beautiful daughters, Carolyn and Angela, who; after nearly 80 wonderful years together and now in the Nonagenarian period of our lives; are making sure we continue to enjoy our remaining years.
Listen to Basil's playlist here
We'll Meet Again - Vera Lynn
Land of Hope and Glory - Edward Elgar
Jerusalem - William Blake
White Christmas- Bing Crosby
Glenn Miller's Band Music
BBC Forces Overseas Service (when war conditions permitted)
Madge Lambert
We are very lucky to have had such a long and happy marriage. Any problems or misunderstandings have usually been dealt with amicably; a bit of give and take there! A few quite serious health problems, but St Richard's is a wonderful hospital, and the doctors and staff, as well as the Medical Centre who put us on the right road.
We have been going to the Westgate Leisure Centre as often as possible over the past 15 years. Basil usually swims 800 metres in the pool, or works harder in the gym, and I do Circuit training; cycling, rowing, Step-ups and stretching etc - with the guidance of Tina, our long suffering Instructor, followed by a very welcome cup-of-tea with the friends we have made at these social gatherings.
At our age, these exercises keep us on our toes and enable us to continue to lead the enjoyable and lovely life of the many years we have spent together.
Listen to Madge's playlist here
We'll Meet Again - Vera Lynn
Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover - Vera Lynn
Sentimental Journey
Some Sunny Day
by Madge Lambert
Transporting the reader to the heart-wrenching times of World War II, Some Sunny Day is an evocative memoir of love and courage in war-torn Asia by Madge Lambert.
It was July 1944 when Madge stepped onto a troopship that was to carry her thousands of miles away from home. Only twenty years old and not long qualified as a nurse, she had signed up to serve in the Burma Campaign. She would be based on the Indian border, near the frontline, where a fierce battle was raging between Allied forces and the Japanese.
Tending to the wounded, nurturing friendships and courageously pushing through the exhaustion, she found strength in fellow nurses. And then, one day, she met Captain Basil Lambert.
Their budding romance is a beacon amid the chaos, igniting a flicker of happiness and hope. But can their love survive the terrifying final months of war?
Some Sunny Day is a memoir of heroic sacrifice and unyielding resilience, and a stirring testament to the enduring power of love and courage.