大象传媒

I joined the Terrirorial Army six weeks before the war started. I was in the 5th Battalion Folkestone. I falsified my age; told them I was seventeen when I was only sixteen.

Initially, we was deployed in guarding the railway tunnels between Dover and Folkestone against sabbotage and spies. As the war went on the battalion went overseas to France. I was underage to go to France so I was deployed all over the country. Churchill named us 'immatures'. There was literally hundreds of us.

I wanted to go because all me mates had. I was the youngest. My Mum didn't say nothing she knew it was what I wanted. I wasn't on my own.

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Helena Noifeld of 大象传媒 Radio Kent and has been added to the website on behalf of F. Cloake with his permission. He fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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