Interview with Susan myfanwy Churchill by Vicky Macdonald

Description

Short interview conducted by Vicky MaCdonald during the ‘Longest Yarn’ with visitors that shared personal memories and family stories in reaction to the exhibition. The Longest Yarn exhibition was a month-long tribute to the War Effort behind the D-Day Landings of 1944 - displaying a 3D tapestry depicting D-Day in 80 panels – was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno (October 2–27, 2024).

Susan Churchill shares memories of her father, a conscientious objector during WWII who was permitted to study as a Baptist minister at Bristol University while also fire-watching as part of his wartime duties. Her mother, working in Sheffield as an orthoptist, also participated in fire-watching. The couple wrote letters daily, which they later burned—a decision her father regretted, though she kept the stamps. After the war, Susan's father began his ministry in Merthyr Tydfil, where Susan was born in 1946. Her father’s brother also served as a hospital porter, reflecting the varied roles conscientious objectors held.