- Contributed by听
- CSV Media NI
- People in story:听
- Irene Peggy Lapsley
- Location of story:听
- Peterborough, England
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A7956723
- Contributed on:听
- 21 December 2005
This story is taken from an interview with Irene Peggy Lapsley, and has been added to the site with their permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions. The transcription was by Bruce Logan.
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Discipline was fierce in the WRENS. They had to scrub 100 cement steps for not having their bunk made properly. 30 days loss of privileges for missing last bus back to HMS Mylodon.
Peggy cried in limit of commodore鈥檚 cant at Senkenairy.
Taken out in a Liberty boat for looking like third row of the chorus.
Remember bury on Kaen going on leave. At Peterborough, told 鈥渄o you want to see Clark Gable?鈥
Thought it was big deal but he was on next coach and got autograph. He was gorgeous! Followed them in train at King鈥檚 Cross Station.
Very young, very foolish. She loved every minute and forgot, like drill. Many cold wet nights walking and von hall and whistle. Pilchers in tomato for breakfast and bomb shelter in air-raid.
HMS Royal Arthur.
Relieved a 6ft 3in Able Seaman for the feet. A bit of a gote sfu nolkup being taken round as such. 4k Norwegian French Belgian Dutch and UK sailors being trained 200 WRENS.
鈥淥h what a lovely war鈥
Spoilt rotten.
Handling all mail as Fleet Mail Office worker. Met husband of 60 yrs. By giving his mother homemade buns. Gladly given for a sum date! Make a fuss of Paddy, Peg, so we get some goodies!
She joined RN because her father was killed at sea on Russian convoy in 1941. She left mother in charge of 鈥3 Fishes鈥 pub at Kingston. To join Merchant Navy at age 47, brother Flying Corps Coastal Command. Little sister was evacuated to home in Ferndee Sands.
3 Fishes was bombed in 1941, and for a week there was no access. Then they put up a sign 鈥淏ack in & Open As Usual. Windows maybe out but spirits up. To hell with Hitler!鈥
Ack Ack next to pub guarding Railway Station next to pub.
It was a home away from home to them.
Joy saved money a lot too with Guards regiments as all Viceing at Peterborough.
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