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I was a member of St James’ church choir in 1939. One day we had our photograph taken. I noticed that the girl I usually sat next to the choir wasn’t on the photograph so I asked where she was and was told she had joined the ATS so I decided to volunteer, my number was V13397 I spent my time in the ATS as a secretary.

I was attached to the 10th Northumberland Fusiliers but they were on duty in Egypt so we were billeted in Barnard Castle in Durham. I was secretary to Major Hesaltine of the DLI. We were moved to Catterick Camp where I did various duties for the Royal Corps of Signals. We used to march every Sunday to St Oswalds church and the Padre asked me to join the choir.

My father died and I had to return home to take over the family business. We had a young German stay with friends, he could speak English and we got on well. We stayed in touch after the war.

During the war we formed a girls training corps. In 1945/6 Princess Margaret welcomed the Guides to the Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by Princess Elizabeth. Afterwards we paraded in Hyde Park and I carried the flag for Northumberland.

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