Miss Unity Mitford, daughter of Lord Redesdale, arrived at Folkestone yesterday from Germany, where she has been since war was declared against her Nazi friends. She was met by her father, who had been waiting at Folkestone for three days.
There was an armed guard at the harbour, and a full hour was allowed to elapse after the other passengers had left before Miss Mitford was brought ashore on a stretcher. Previously Home Office officials had been on board the steamer and seen Miss Mitford and her party in their cabin.
Folkestone harbour is a prohibited area for the public in consequence of the war, but yesterday no pressman, even if equipped with a pass from the railway company, was allowed on the quay. This prohibition was in operation for yesterday only, and, according to officials, it was introduced by authority of the Security Control. Soldiers with armlets bearing the letters "F.S.P." (Field Security Police) were at the harbour gate, and for the first time an armed sentry with steel helmet was placed outside the entrance.
The ambulance in which Miss Mitford set out for her father's home broke down ten miles from Folkestone. It was soon able to proceed, but Miss Mitford and her father and mother and her sister, Miss Deborah Mitford, returned to the hotel where Lord Redesdale had been waiting during the past three days.
This gave the many press photographers their chance, and there was a blaze of flashlights as Miss Mitford came out of the vehicle. She looked pale and careworn.
Lord Redesdale told a reporter, "My daughter is still very ill."
