大象传媒

From the Monthly Review of Stockport & Dist, Channel Islands Society,19th June 1942

My four sisters and I left the island on 22nd June, 1940, arriving in Weymouth at approx.3.15 p.m. the following afternoon. We were treated wonderfully well, and were taken to Alexandra Gardens, where we were given food.
There we met a member of the A.T.S., as we did not know anyone in England, we determined to join the Forces; the following day five little sisters were in the Recruiting Office of the A.T.S., shaking at the knees, particularly one, myself, being only just seventeen. I had, with my sisters advice, put on my age and was feeling a little guilty and afraid. However we soon recovered from that ordeal, and after signing papers, were sent to the Medical Officer for our Medical Examination. We were passed A.1, and were then issued with our uniforms, and really did look a comical sight. Then for our billets, a big Army truck fetched us and conveyed us to the Verne Citadel at Portland, where we had our duty orders given to us. The two eldest of my sisters started cooking and the other three of us were waitresses in the officers鈥� mess.
It was, however, five months of 鈥渉ell鈥� for us, as after we had been there for a short time, the fatal news came that our Island and all our loved ones had been invaded, and the Nazis had taken possession of our beautiful islands.
We broke our hearts and regretted ever having left our parents and Guernsey鈥檚 beauty behind. But everyone was most kind, and we realised we should have to be patient, the same as all the other islanders, although it was a very hard task indeed. I had never before been to England, and was like a child with a new toy in my interest at seeing the trains and big double-decker buses, though of course my sisters were used to this, two of them having worked in London for three years, the others having also paid visits to England with Mummy and Daddy on holiday. To me, it was a new and horrible world compared with the unspoilt beauty of the islands. After this we had nothing but air-raids, and I was buried, among others, in the officers mess for nearly four hours. One girl lost a leg, and another had both fractured, and I was burned, slightly about the face and hands.
We were dug out, however, and sent on sick leave. The other girls had their homes to go to, but I had no plans, and a kind friend offered me the hospitality of her home in Devon. It was grand to get back to silence and beauty again, as Devon was, I found, in many respects like Guernsey, the country 鈥攕ide especially, and we spent ten days of lave there. On returning to Portland, we were informed that we were being sent to a more quiet place, and so came here to the 5 Corps School, on October,12th, 1940. We are very happy here.

Since being here, we have received, in all, six messages from our loved ones, they said in each that they were all well and hoped we were.

We are not five any more in the A.T.S., as Pat was granted a discharge on medical grounds, owing to having contracted rheumatic fever, but we are still the only four sisters in the Service. Pat was married to a Sgt. Air-gunner of the R.C.A.F. in December 1941. She is now living with friends in London.
The wedding photograph was in the Daily Mirror.

Irene. A. McGrath
5 Corps. School, Home Forces, England
June 19th 1942

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