大象传媒

NAME Doris Goff
Civilian
Doris Goff Reports on her time in 'C' Watch, then to Department No.8 in "The Citadel

Mitcham to Whitehall

This story was submitted to the People's War site at Banstead History Centre on behalf of Mrs D Goff. It has been added to the site with the author's permission and she fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

DORIS GOFF REPORTS ON HER TIME IN 'C' WATCH,
THEN TO DEPARTMENT NO.8 IN "THE CITADEL"

Unable to be called up, so registered for war work, expecting to be in an Ammunition Factory.

I was surprised to be asked if I would be interested in going for an interview at The Admiralty.

I was interviewed by Lady Bonham Carter. Would I like to be trained for coding and ciphering?

It was long hours, 10 hour days and 14 hour nights alternately, no weekends, but a very good disturbance allowance.

Travelling on public transport from Mitcham to Whitehall through the raids was certainly disturbing.

We worked in three Watches, A, B and C with approximately 80 in each Watch. We worked in couples.

The work was very interesting, but then 4 couples were chosen from each Watch to start a new department to be called 'No. 8'.

I was one chosen from 'C' Watch, and felt very thrilled to start.

It was a small section, about 20, all civilians men and women, but we also dealt with a lot of naval officers. This work was all carried out beneath the ivy covered building on Horse Guards Parade, the concrete walls were eight feet thick. The building was known as "The Citadel". I enjoyed it very much and it was nice to think you were doing something so important. However, when the war ended it was something of an anti-climax when we disbanded and returned to a normal civilian occupation.

Now that No.8 has definitely disbanded I cannot let this moment pass without adding my little say to what the "powers that be" have already said in W.R.A. 1895/15 which, by this time all of you should have read, but for the benefit of those who have not it is reproduced below.

To me it seems hard to believe that the Section is now no more and it was not until moving day that I really realised - in spite of my persistent remarks "it won't be long now" - that the end was upon us. However, the end it is; and I feel I must thank you one and all for all that you have done for me during the last nineteen months. Whatever the call you were always ready and eager and the write-up given to us in the W.R.A. has, as far as Watch C is concerned been earned by you.

I would like to suggest that in the near future - if someone can deal in the black market and procure a film - we assemble on the Horse Guards after a day watch for a photograph, but we will talk about this later.

I know you were all disappointed at having to go, but my disappointment at having to disband was no less than yours. I wish all of you success in your new posts and once again thank you for making my tenure of office as Head No. 8 a happy and successful nineteen months.

Signed
30th May, 1945.

Copy of W.R.A. 1895/15

Tomorrow No.8 section closes down after handling Tactical Urgency, Emergency and Most Immediate messages with conspicuous success since 25th, October 1943. The efficiency of this section, due to the zeal and energy of its members on all Watches, has been a factor of great importance in War Registry's work and has amply repaid the care which went to its planning. Room 17 would like to thank all present and former members of No. 8 for their devoted labours and congratulates them on behalf of the rest of the War Registry, on the success, which has attended their efforts. Mr Sinker has particularly requested to be associated with this message and congratulates No. 8 on having so effectively destroyed itself!

Twas on a Monday morning some nineteenth month ago
We came into this section - the Naval staff to show
That there was nothing wrong with War Reg -
If the urgency was great
Just turn the blooming light on and send it down to No. 8

The ships gave the positions of the convoys in their care
The monsters kept on piping up - Head DSO's nightmare
The U-boats kept a prowling like a dog looking for meat
But with the help of "teeth and trousers" we surely got them beat.

The independents were diverted by our friend Cdr. Hall
Who worked out their positions from the map up on the wall
Then sent them out via No. 8 - his confidence well found
We'll keep the ships a-from the Hun and sop 'em going aground

The bearings whistled up the pipe into Room 41
Who tracked and fixed the movements of the underwater Hun
And if the ships were in danger, then now it can be told
We sent 'em out the details in a code that they did hold.

At length arrived a famous day - Tuesday June 6th.
When an Army on the Continent was the Navy's job to fix
We received and sent the ADLOS in minutes few between
And scrapped the hordes of E boats which tried to intervene.

And so we kept on scrapping the E boat and the sub.
And brought safely home the convoys fetching all our grub
Then some one once discovered Gale warnings went out late
So the answer very simple - shove them into No. 8.

At length all our endeavours were rewarded you'll agree
When recently a day was born which Churchill prefixed V
Thus twas plain for all to see our time was nearly done
So we imported "German Labour" to help round up the Hun.

And now alas at the end of May we of great renown
Do sadly learn - our duty done - must ring the curtain down
Moving day is Tuesday - the 29th , May
And always let it be said - we surely had our day.

Copy of an article from the 'Sunday Dispatch' dated May 13, 1945 is attached.

Mrs D Goff
Banstead

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