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‘I heard about a radio broadcast for Special Reservists to report to their barracks but at first I found it impossible to believe, so I went to work as usual. Many of the workbenches deserted. Clearly, others had been able to comprehend and obey the unwelcome call to arms. Several hours passed and the benches remained empty. I tried hard to concentrate on the work and frequent visitors asking if I had heard the announcement. It was obviously not a mistake or some simple misunderstanding.

‘I tidied away my work and returned home. I exchanged few words with my wife Edith as we gathered a few items of kit. Edith hunted for a piece of soap I could take. Then I put on my uniform, laced my boots and reported to the barracks just before lunch on Friday. There were no long good-byes, no tears. The situation was a nuisance, a disruption, probably just a precaution.

‘It is a good thing I did not know what was going to happen.’

Bill Harvey worked at the Railway Plant in Doncaster. He had recently joined the TA as he knew war was coming. His unit would be the first to go to France in September 1939.

This story was submitted to the people’s War site by a volunteer from CSV Oxford on behalf of the late Bill Harvey. It is a transcript of his own diary and taped interviews and he gave written permission for all the material to be published.

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