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I was in private service in a Doctor’s house in Lincoln. There were two servants. The cook was of the age to be called up but had an elderly mother and did not want to go far away. I was the house parlour maid, wanted to do something for the war effort and volunteered for the NAAFI.

Although in uniform, NAAFI was not compulsory, we could leave at any time. I was sent to Skellingthorpe aerodrome; Lancaster Bombers, I think it was the 49th.

We provided, (for the Airforce regiment, which did the work of the station) tea and cakes from 10.30 — 11.30 am and 12.30 — 1.30 pm. In the evenings we served meals e.g. pie and chips, sausage and chips for a cheap price. Also on their pay day, they could purchase a ration of cigarettes and chocolate.

For the men working on the airfield loading up the bombs on the planes ready for take off, we had a caravan to take them their tea and cakes. The caravan was towed by a tractor, (driven by an airman) and two girls sat on the mudguards as we travelled round the aerodrome. At various stops we would open up the side of the caravan and serve the tea and cakes. Not to the air crew as they had their own mess rooms but to the workers. I liked to be chosen to do this as it was nice to be in the fresh air. Many girls didn’t want to as if it was windy, it upset their hair-do’s.

Skellingthorpe was known for its woods and the bomb store was well hidden. We heard the planes take off at night and counted them in, in the early morning when we felt the bumps as they landed.

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