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As I approached my 18th birthday I was surprised to receive my call-up papers from the Government.

The Women’s Air Force and the Women’s Army had reached full capacity, and I
was given two choices — either to join the Land Army or to go to a Government Training Centre. I elected to go to the training centre, which was in Ashington, Northumberland. Digs were found for me, together with two other girls, in a spacious house in Ashington. We were looked after by a chain-smoking Irish landlady, who had a very cheerful disposition and was a good cook. We all got on well together.

At the training centre I was taught how to use machinery, such as a lathe. The set-up was exactly like a factory floor, in fact the building had probably been a factory making non-essential goods, and then taken over by the Government.

I and the other girls wore dungarees and turbans for safety reasons because of using machinery. The work was very intensive, and we had to take in a great deal of theory — studying and learning how to understand blueprints, as well as the hands on practical work.

Accommodation was very scarce in the area, and after two or three weeks we were joined in the house by three men who were desperate for somewhere to stay whilst working in the district. Our landlady asked us if we would agree to allow them to use our beds for sleeping during the day whilst we were at work. We agreed, and it was much, much later in life that I learned that this procedure had a name — ‘hot-bedding’! Surprisingly, it all worked well, although I didn’t mention this arrangement in letters to my parents — I didn’t want to worry them unduly!

After three months of practical work and studying theory, I had to take exams, both practical and theoretical. The practical was the most challenging — I was given a blueprint, and from this I had to make a small aircraft component, using a machine on the factory floor.

I was really pleased when I learned that I’d done well in the exams. Because of this I was sent off, together with a few other girls who had also succeeded in the exams, to an aeronautical college in Manchester for more training. This was to further our knowledge of aircraft and aircraft components. This very intensive training lasted approximately one month, ending in more exams, and it was with great satisfaction I learned that I had done well.

I was now ready to put the new skills and knowledge into practice. I was instructed to go to Brooklands Aviation Co. Ltd. In Doncaster, Yorkshire, where I worked on behalf of the Government as an employee of the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate, known as A.I.D.

The A.I.D. team consisted of the Chief Examiner, Mr.George, a Senior Male Examiner, whose name I’ve forgotten, and another girl and myself, who were designated as ‘Assistant Examiners’. I have to say we two girls were treated with special respect by all and sundry, as we were ‘innocent young ladies’! I was known as ‘Milly’ (a shortened version of my surname ‘Milburn’), and my friend and colleage, whose surname was ‘Watkins’, was known as ‘Watty’. This arrangement was suggested by our boss, the Chief Examiner, Mr. George, as he was of the opinion that it sounded professional, but friendly.

At lunch times we ate in the canteen with the Brooklands senior staff, where we enjoyed the very friendly atmosphere. We worked hard during the day, (no shift work) and had great fun in the evenings — we were never bored!

R.A.F. Finningley was located not far from Doncaster, and it was well known that the social evenings with dancing, held in the Sergeant’s Mess, were much more fun than similar evenings held in the Officers’ Mess, so when our A.I.D. team were invited to a Sergeants’ Mess evening we accepted with pleasure. It certainly was great fun, and we accepted all invitations thereafter.

As Brooklands was a repair aerodrome for Wellington bombers, the aircraft were dismantled, then repaired and re-assembled in the hangars. One of my jobs was to check the repair work carried out by the Brooklands workforce at each stage of the procedure, then submit a report to the Chief Examiner. I thoroughly enjoyed the work.

During my time at Brooklands Aviation Co. Ltd. at Doncaster I was able to get myself photographed in front of a Wellington bomber outside a hangar, although for security reasons this was illegal. One of the highlights of my time there was being smuggled aboard (without a parachute) on to one of the re-built bombers when it went up for a test flight — a unique experience!

I shared digs in Doncaster with Alma, a happy, fun loving girl, who worked for Brooklands as secretary to one of their management team, and although food was rather boring, and baths were rationed, we had a great social life and enjoyed many parties.

At the end of the war the men returned, and naturally took up their work again. I have to say that after so many years I still look back on my war years with great affection.

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