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Being a young teenager during the War was exciting. Boys could join the ATC (Air Training Corps) to learn about aircraft, how to drill and march ready for doing 鈥渢heir bit鈥� when the time came which was seventeen and a half years old. Girls had a similar group 鈥� GTC (Girls Training Corps) to learn nursing skills, Morse code, catering and how to help in an emergency. Joining with the boys on social occasions was always fully attended. Cinemas were open to show exciting news of far away places only heard of in Geography classes and the Sea battles with the enemy. Dance Halls with a band was the highlight of Saturday night and walking home in pitch black with only a small torch light to show the kerbs and footpaths always caused much laughter. Many friendships were made and letters exchanged when it was time to join up or go on to war work. Munitions factories were in many towns and cities where a fortnight on nights and a fortnight on days was the practice. Sweets and chocolate were rationed and fruit was scarce but everyone joined in and made the best of it, just to be able to live in a free country and win the war.
This story was submitted to the People's War site by Leah Giffard of the CSV action desk on behalf of Mrs. Mary Bristow and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

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