Video transcript
My life changed on 12th June 1942 when I was called up into the ATS. It was a bit of
a shock, but looking back it was an experience I wouldn’t have missed. I went from
Fencehouses station and did my initial training at Durham University. We were given
our uniforms there and had a number of inoculations, which wasn’t very pleasant!
They are much improved now. I was there a month and was not allowed out.
From there I was posted to a training camp in Carlisle. I was there 3 years and
worked in the Company office where U did company orders (I had to learn to type).
We did PE every morning at 8am before breakfast. Every Tuesday night we trained
to march, and the food was terrible (that is the down side of it). We had a camp
cinema and a dance every week which was the highlight of the week. We were about
50 girls among about 500 men, so you can use your imagination.
From there I was posted to Skegness where I had a really nice summer. There was
a small hotel on the front called ‘The Sun Castle’ and they had tea dances every
afternoon. After that I was posted to Warminster on Salisbury Plain. We were about
4 miles from the nearest village, and our only means of transport the back of lorries.
We had every weekend off and used to go into London where that were a lot of
hostels catering for the services. Of course we went to dances which were always
available. The celebrities and stars used to come and help and entertain. We had a
great time.
From there I was demobbed in 1946. We were given a gratuity (I can’t remember
how much it was) and clothing coupons. I had a lovely time getting all new clothes
after being in uniform for 4 years. We couldn’t wear civvies even on leave. I have
good memories and bad ones. I made friends with girls from all over the country. I
still hear from 2 of them at Christmas, it is amazing after nearly 60 years. There
won’t be many of us left. Of course everything changed when the Americans arrived,
thousands of them arrived in Glasgow and travelled down to our camp overnight and
then on top the South Coast assembling for D Day. I often wonder how many of
them survived. The dancing all changed, the jitterbug and the jive, I could never do it
but believe me most of the girls enjoyed it and other things as well, but we won’t go
into that.
I am 88 years old now and it is strange I can’t remember what I had for my dinner
yesterday and yet I can remember all of that period of my life. That’s life I suppose.
Good times and bad times.
This is a very good story!Posted on 09/10/2009 at 09:36:42
What a character.Posted on 03/02/2010 at 04:33:17