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Congratulations if you have read all parts of this account of our mothers war effort. All of it was true, naturally Molly was our mother (Eileen) but everone else we do not know. If you do identify yourself with anyone please let us know.
If anyone in the ´óÏó´«Ã½ reads this account and would like to make it into a blockbuster movie (Mums army) please make the cheque out to Tony Lockwood!!!!!

Now for the last bit..............
Chapter 19

Promotion.

The weather had turned bitterly cold and snow was falling fast. Strange how just a few miles north of London the weather could be a degree or two colder and make such a difference. Molly suffered from cold hands and feet. There were not the fur-lined boots about that one wore nowadays. The army issue was Wellington boots which didn't help even if they did keep ones feet dry. To keep fit the girls had taken to rising at 6 am and taking a jog around a local canal then returning to a breakfast of hot buttered toast before resuming their various duties.
When the girls came in for midday dinner they brought the latest news as to what was happening. Molly used to occasionally wish she cold be doing something more in keeping to help win the war. She had had a days leave and given a special rail pass to attend a meeting held in London. She had to appear before someone connected with Joe Lyons the catering firm to be asked questions about cooking. If her answers were satisfactory she would be upgraded and get more pay. Molly answered all the questions except one. Can you braise cabbage asked the catering corps officer. Cooking at home and for the masses back at camp all Molly had ever done was to immerse cabbage in boiling water with a bit of salt. To her reply I have never done so sir the officer replied well you can by placing it in water in the oven Molly felt like saying provide me with the amount of oven dishes and gastoves and I'll have a go However she just nodded assent and said yes sir. When she returned to camp they asked how did it go, did you pass. When she related the days events they all wished he luck and said she would hear soon. About three weeks were to pass before she heard that she had indeed passed, been upgraded to grade II and awarded the grand sum of an extra 3 pence a week.
Another occasion Molly's hope rose was the day another officer came this time turning out to be a senior ATS officer. Molly was interviewed by her and asked if she could cook curry. Oh yes I am sure I can make good curry replied Molly. Ah but this may be in a hot place somewhere like Egypt, Ooh rather, I'd think that would be great enthused Molly. The thoughts of travel and getting into the thick of it intrigued her. Her geography was not too good and whyever they wanted cooks in Egypt she was left to wonder.
After that little excitement things assumed their day to day routine.

The End

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