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Mrs Gladys M. Harget
I lived in Gosport, Hants, during the Second World War and went to work at the Royal Naval Armament Depot, Priddy’s Hard, Gosport in January 1941.
I was employed as an Inspector of Naval Ordnance (INO) and I worked with Concentrated Explosive Powder (CE Powder). It was like lemonade powder and turned my skin yellow and my hair orange.
We were provided with navy blue trousers and jacket and a white head covering. We had to be sure that we did not wear such as rings or necklaces or anything that might cause a spark.
We worked 12-hour shifts, one week 07:00 — 19:00, and then alternated to 19:00 — 07:00 the next week.
I remember our air raid shelter was between two working blocks, both stocked with the CE powder and other high explosives so despite Portsmouth and Gosport suffering heavy air raids we never bothered to use it.
I was able to get leave when my husband, who was in the army, came home.
I worked at Priddy’s Hard until December 1943.

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