大象传媒

This story was submittedd to the Peopple's War site by CSV/大象传媒 Radio Nottingham on behalf of Miss Eileen Grace Walker with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I was nearly 12years old when war was declared and I was evacuated. I only stayed 1 year and returned home and rejoined my old Guide company. My friend of long standing was a patrol leader. We were asked if any of us would volunteer to help the General Hospital who were taking in wounded men as well as the usual intake. 5 of us offered and we went in 3 evenings a week and Sunday morning. When we were 16 we wnt 3/4 evenings 6-10pm, Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, which often went over if we were needed. I gave up going to Chapel and my friend gave up church. Her sister who was a nurse at City Hospital made us aprons, so we were now in the Rangers and were trusted to do more responsible jobs. Sometimes the Matron would direct us to the kitchens on a specific Ward if they were needing help with the more mundane jobs which left the Nurses free. I was on James Foreman Ward for 3 years, there was a number of crashed RAF men, also German, Polish and Canadian men with Orthapoedic problems. \i recall one night we were asked to stay on as a train had come in from Folkeston and as their hospitals were full, we stayed until 3am. I remember on our way home a policeman stopping us on Park Row and asking us what we were doing out as there was a danger of Air Raids. He kindly walked us most of the way home. After the Blitz we worked extra hours after we finished work. We got teased a lot by the men and various tricks they got up to (in spite of their injuries). We had a good time and enjoyed helping in our small way. We went for some time after the war finished, 8 tears in all. 1949 when we finished, there was only Eileen and I still going. Castle War was opened endorsed by Players and we helped to wash the paintwork etc. The Matron did ask us if we would train as Nurses but no thankyou Ma'am. Eileen was now driving delivering munition parts etc, and I was in a reserved occupation - office work in a factory on Mosquito and Camouflage nets etc. The Scout and Guide movement helped in various ways throughout the war.

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