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I joined the A.T.S. in my late teens, and after doing my basic training was posted to a Heavy Artillery gun site, Cardiff H.Q. and then Barry Island where the enemy approached up the Bristol Channel ( 20 enemy aircraft approaching up the Bristol Channel)
We lived in Nissen Huts 28 girls in double bunks with 1 small fire in the middle and a long cold walk to the ablutions. Quite a tough life but the comradeship was great.
After about two years, we went by troop train to Kent where the Doodlebugs and later Rockets, were coming over S.E. England thick and fast. As we were going through London the people on the stations were cheering because more guns were coming, it was very emotional.
It was a very bad time where we were just south of London and 3 of our girls were seriously injured.
The last Doodlebug to fall on England it was reported later, went over our camp at roof high and the engine cut out and it exploded in the next field.
V.E.Day
Then came V.E. Day, what a joyous time we went up to London and was outside Buckingham Palace when the Royal Family and Winston came on the balcony.
The then Princess in A.T.S. uniform.
The crowds were so great, people were fainting but just carried along with the crowds. I said never again would I go where there were so many people, but what a wonderful day.
Later we were disbanded and posted until I was demobbed in October 1946. I came home, it took a while to settle down, waited for my boyfriend to come home from abroad, then marriage and two lovely daughters.
Ex. Private J Whatsize W / 284931

‘This story was submitted to the Peoples war site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of Joan Plummer and has been added to the site with his permission.. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions’.

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