大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Melanie Richardson and Sarah Coleman from the Folkestone School for Girls and has been added to the website on behalf of Christine Pledger with her permission and she fully understands the site鈥檚 term and conditions.

In 1942 Christine Pledger had wanted to join the Wrens. But only bagrees daughters were being enlisted in this section and she did not qualify. Instead she joined the ATS and was posted to Kettering Camp, Northamptonshire where she did her initial training. Over 100 girls were called up at that time mainly from offices and banks. Various tests were taken, including typing and shorthand and there was great competition. Just four places were vacant at Headquarters, Southern Command. Christine was delighted in being chosen as one of the four and she was posted to the office of the Chief Signals Officer, Brigadier Prescott. The office was located in a hut in the grounds of Wilton House 鈥� the home of Lord and Lady Pembroke. In this department there was also a Major, Captain and a Lieutenant, Christine was secretary for them all and held the rank of Sergeant.

She was therefore present and involved with the preparations for D-day. Her department worked on all the communications for Operations Overlord.
One day towards the end of the war the Chief Signals Officer then Brigadier Thursby-Pelham entered the office where she was working alone. He told her not to take any notes as what he intended saying was top secret.鈥�

The message was to the German Commander in the Channel Islands. The gist of this telegram was that he should surrender all forces in the island, or else!
After all these years Christine says that she still has a warm affinity with the Channel Islands because of her involvement with the German surrender process. She was glad to play a very small, but significant part, in the liberation of these islands.
Christine鈥檚 late husband Warrant Officer Charles Pledger and she were later involved in the training programmes to prepare personal at head quarters Southern Command for civilian life.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.