大象传媒

Enlisting

Seeing so many people in uniform made me want to join up. I tried the WAAF, but they only wanted cooks and balloon operators at that time, so I went along to the ATS. I didn't want the war to end before I was enlisted. I had to wait until 18 _ because I couldn't get my father to sign the papers. I was sent to do my training at Pontefract, sharing a barrack room with many others- a new experience for me and you had to be quick to get to the ablutions! I was quite disappointed when I was given my uniform, as it was a terrible fit. The cap looked awful but we were given some tips on how to get it into shape. They soon had us looking smartly turned out. The time at training camp was very busy, drilling, getting vaccinated, and most of all cleaning buttons and shoes.

W/256459 Private Buonvino
I was posted to Windsor after my training where I worked as a Secretary for 3 Officers and occasionally a General in the HQ Royal Artillery Training Establishments. Occasionally the General had to go to the War Office in London and I went with him. One day we travelled by car only to find a very foggy London, and it was decided that we couldn't go back to Windsor in the evening as the fog was too thick. It was suggested that I find accommodation at one of the Service Clubs but as my home was in London I said I could make my way there by underground. That night we had a message that my sister had been bombed-out, so Dad and I went to bring her and the children back to us. My bed that night was on the floor as my sister and the children had my room. Unfortunately she was bombed out twice and my other sister was caught in a bombed shelter at her workplace, but luckily survived.

Our billet at Windsor was very nice in a large house by the river. We had a boathouse, with punts and rowing boats which we had permission to use. It was fun taking a trip either to Windsor or the other way to Maidenhead, and we took our old wind-up gramaphone with us. We sent home for our cycles so we were able to get to the Forces canteen in Windsor or Maidenhead. We went sometimes across the road to the farm to help out with the harvest.

W/256459 Private Buonvino Off
To Mainland Europe.

When we were asked for overseas volunteers my friend and I put our names down, thinking that we would be going to France, but they had enough volunteers for France and asked if we'd be prepared to go to Austria. How could we refuse??!! The Allied Commission for Austria was being formed at St Paul's School, Hammersmith and we were billetted at Barons Court. That was ideal for getting into London to go to the Stagedoor Canteen, to see some good entertainment, and to go The Queensbury Club at Leicester Square, to attend Radio shows eg Glen Miller broadcasts to the troops. We were disappointed when some of our friends left on an advance party but our turn came and in May 1945 we went to Liverpool to join the troopship S.S. Orontes to go to Naples. Unfortunately I was a very poor sailor and was terribly sea sick. I spent a few days in a ship's hospital and lost my voice. We were not far from Naples (thankfully) when we heard on the radio that the war in Europe was over. Hearing about the celebrations in London made us rather homesick, but the lights were turned on on the ship and dancing was quickly arranged. The soldiers far outnumbered the ATS so we were being 鈥渆xcused鈥� every few steps. Those of our party who had gone on the Advance party were already in Rome enjoying the fun. From Naples we went on open trucks, through Cassino, to Rome, which was to be our home before going onto Vienna a few months later.

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