大象传媒

My name is Mrs Peggy Moore, when I joined the ATS my maiden name was Peggy Bowerman.

I was called up in October 1942. I was told to report to Hermitage Camp in Wrexham. The trip from my home in Devon took 10 hours. The weather was cold.

I was given the top bunk in the barrack room. The only heat was provided by a round stove in the centre. It was my first time away from home, I was very cold and homesick.

To make matters worse I was told by a stern-faced sergeant that my long hair would have to be cut the next day as it needed to be 2 inches above my collar. The girls in the room thought this was a shame and someone gave me a band tp put around my head and showed me how to wrap my hair around it.

I went on parade the next day very pleased that my hair was now 2 inches above my collar but my pleasure was short-lived. I received a tap on the shoulder and the stern faced sergeant told me to 'fallout' for a haircut. When I protested she said that hairbands were not allowed. When I was posted 3 weeks later to another camp I found the majority of girls wore hairbands. I refused to have my hair cut again after that.

We were given a choice of working in a cookhouse or volunteering to join an Ack Ack battery. I volunteered to join a Mixed Heavy Ack Ack battery Royal Artillary.

I was sent to a training regiment, Parkhall Camp, Oswestry. This was a huge camp with a large barrack square. We had to learn about the instruments in 6 weeks, a feat which required 6 months in peace time!

After a lecture we paraded on the square in full kit and formed a circle around a male sergeant who fired questions at us. If we gave an incorrect answer we had to 'double' around the circle and get back to our original place. The sergeant asked me a question and I gave the wrong answer so I 'doubled'. Then he asked me another question which I also got wrong so I had to 'double' again. I had barely got my breath back before he fired another question which I couldn't answer either. This time I decided I would walk around the circle! He shouted at me to 'double' but i ignored him and carried on walking. Then he hissed from the side of his mouth "For God's sake, Double! The Adjutant and all the officers are coming!" By now my stubborn streak was in control and I just continued to stroll. I was put on a charge and sent before a female ATS officer who asked me if I was ill. I said "No" and told her that I thought it was a stupid way to try to get us to learn. I received a dressing down and was threatened that I would not be allowed to move with the rest of my battery. To my surprise and the delight of my friends we never had to endure this hated ritual again.

My ATS number was 212028 and we formed a new battery known as 639.

We were sent to a firing camp at Tycroes, North Wales. This was a very isolated place. We travelled by train and when the train stopped we alighted and had to march 3 miles to get to the camp.

We had to practice firing at a huge sleeve towed by a plane. I felt aprehensive for the pilot but fortunately we did not shoot him down. After the training was finished we were sent to our first camp which was situated at Thorpe Bay near Southend.

We saw a lot of action while we were there. One night our heavy guns were firing plus the Z Battery manned by the Home Guard in the next field and guns firing from the boats. The noise was deafening and one of the soldiers had his ear-drums perforated. This was very sad and he was taken off our team and given menial jobs to do around the camp. He became very depressed and everyone was shocked and saddened when he committed suicide by cutting his throat in the Ablutions.

Every so often we were granted a 24 hour pass. We would take a trip to London and stay somewhere that provided bed and breakfast. one memorable trip was when we went to a dance at the famous Palais De Dance Hall in Hammersmith.

When the air raid sirens went in London we were very frightened but we never felt that way when we were in action on the gunsight. I suppose the reason was we had to concentrate on the job in hand and at least we had something to hit back with. I felt very sorry for the Londoners who must have felt so vulnerable when the raids started.
After a few months of intensive action we were sent to a rest camp at Canvey Island. We managed to swim in the sea which was highly protected with iron bars.

We were amazed to find all the houses and bungalows were empty. It looked as if people had been evacuated at short notice as some of the tables were laid out for tea. I think there was a real fear of invasion in that area.

After our rest we were sent to Moor Camp near Warrington. We were fascinated watching the barges going down the canal there.

Our next move was to West Derby in Liverpool. We used to catch a tram into Liverpool and we loved the city. Lancashire people were very kind and friendly.

For some reason our battery was disbanded and my best friend Vi and I were sent to join another battery, 580, staioned at Ely Racecourse, Cardiff. Late one night when we were in action with all guns blazing, our eccentric captain took a revolver from his pocket and started firing up into the sky!

After the All Clear men and girls gathered in the canteen for cocoa. I do not know what the men thought of the girls - no make-up and tin hats sitting on top of their curlers!

One day after a long tiring day on the gunsight we returned to our nisson hut and was just relaxing when an ATS corporal came in and said we all had to attend a lecture. Everybody moaned and protested that we were tired. However, she was adamant that we had to go.

The girls started drifting out until it was just my best friend and I left. We got up to go and then decided we would not be missed and stayed put. We were missed though and put on a charge !

The next day my hat was removed and I was marched between two NCOs to the Major's office. I received a severe reprimand and had to do cookhouse duties for a week. My friend received the same punishment. The kitchen duty was not too bad as the soldiers on duty had a laugh with us and gave us a hand washing all the greasy pans. The worst part was being confined to the camp for a week. Needless to say we were very careful after that not to be put on a charge again!

Our next move was to a camp at Jersey Marine between Swansea and Neath. We had a good time in Swansea on our days off. There were very good pubs and plenty of Yanksaround. We were glad if they offered to take us for a meal because we were always hungry and army pay was poor. The half cooked meat that was served up at times turned me into one of the first vegetarians! (and I've never looked back).

I worked on the Predictor or height Finder. The predictor was operated by 5 people. Information was fed into it from the GL room regarding bearing of the plane and the height from the height finder. My job as No. 5 was to look into a telescope and when I saw the pane I had to shout "on Target!". My job then was to keep the plane dead-centre. This was done by turning a wheel. It was an art once learned, never forgotten. You had to have a steady hand and never attempt to turn the wheel backwards.

When each person on the predictor was doing their job properly, No.1. would read out the fuse required. This was then relayed to the men operating the guns.

We had a very good team. Once a visiting team of expert soldiers came to show us how fast they could do the job. we had a little contest and to our delight we beat them!

When the alarm went at night we had to dress in the dark and be up on the gunsite within 3 minutes. One night we returned to find a large piece of shrapnel had come through our nisson hut roof. It was very lucky we were all out.

While we were at Swansea we were informed that all batteries were being disbanded. I was then sent to an Ordnance Depot at Barlow near Selby in Yorkshire.

This was quite a change from the other camps. I soon settled in and made new friends. While there I had scarlett fever and spent 6 weeks in an isolation hospital. Afterwards I went to a beautiful mansion near Skipton to recouperate. The people at Skipton were very friendly and the scenery with its stone walls was lovely. It was not far from Ilkley Moors and it was a pleasant time.

I returned to the Barlow camp, visiting Selby on my days off. We had a dance every friday which was always well attended.

Some weeks later I went on leave and an unpleasant incident occured which I never forgot...

I was travelling home from Selby to St. David's in Exeter. I got on the train and was pleased to see a carriage with several empty seats. I got in and settled down for the ten hour trip. I was totally unaware that it was a First Class carriage until the ticket collector arrived and promptly ordered me out.

The other passengers protested that they wanted me to stay. I felt very embarrassed. The ticket collector was adamant that I must leave.

For the next nine hours I sat on my suitcase in the corridor while the three seats in the carriage remained empty'

At one point the ticket collector returned. Instead of relenting he said I was sitting in a First Class corridor and must move. I told him in no uncertain terms that I was staying put. He did not bother me again.

On reflection, he had 'right' on his side but it was a genuine mistake on my part and I was not depriving anyone of a seat. I was in uniform, there was a war on. I thought he could have shown a little compassion.

After my leave I returned to the camp and a few months later the war ended.

I was then sent to Guildford in Surrey to get demobbed.

I look back on my time in the Army with great affection. It was a wonderful experience. I was always telling people that I met what a wonderful place Glorious Devon was. Most never seemed to have heard of itand made fun of my accent. Thery nick-named me 'Gloria'. Some years ago I was pleased to have a poem published called Devonshire Dumpling.

I enjoyed my time in the army, saw so many parts of the country which I would not have otherwise seen. I made some wonderful friends. If anyone out there who reads this remembers me I send my love and best wishes.

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