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In 1942 I knew I would be conscripted. All women had to serve in H.M.S. Forces or join the land army or do war work. Having previously live in London but moved back north because my mother couldn’t stand the bombings down there, I was anxious to return to London. I had made lots of friends so I thought I could do my bit down there.
Off I went to London, actually to Southall, Middlesex to stay with Arthur and Mary Henderson, distant relations.
I immediately changes my address no my ration book and identity card. Arthur told me to go to the Hoover factory in Greenford. (I think it was Greenford.)
They were doing war work. I did a test, I was told I could have a job but I would have to go to the labour Exchange for a green card, which I did, only to be told that all the girls from that area had to go to Worchester and that was where I would be sent. You see I had made myself resident of Southall, by changing my address on my nation book and identity card.

U wasn’t happy about that; I didn’t know anybody in Worchester. In my disappointment I went to the pictures: Mrs Meiniver’ was on, and I cried all the way through it.
I took my self home, back to Sunderland, knowing I would be sent to Manchester along with all the Sunderland girls.
I worked on the Lancaster Bomber, belling the pipes, now when I see the only Lancaster that is left, either at the air show at Seaburn, or when it flips majestically in a fly hast on the TV, I am very proud and I like to think that perhaps some of my pipes are in the only Lancaster that is left.

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