大象传媒

This story has been written onto the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Storygatherer Ian Hollins on behalf of Jean Eileen Jane daughter of Mrs Edith Carter. The story has been added to the site with her permission. And Jean Eileen Jane fully understands the terms and coditions of the site.
"Auntie Edith" as she was affectionately known was born on the 24th November 1908. She was one of six sisters and three brothers. In 1941 Edith was emplyed in the Royal Naval Dockyard, Devonport, Plymouth and started work in the Electric Welding Centre.
The inspector was a Mr Reg Ball and her instructor was a Mr Johnny Giles (sadly Mr Giles was killed at his home in Cobourg Street in Plymouth). Edith also remembers Eileen Slade who also worked with her. She was recommended for the job by her brother Jim Williams who was employed in the coppersmiths welding shop next door where one of her sisters, Doris, also worked. As she was so small she was asked to work 'inside' torpedo tubes and warheads welding the joints.
During the war years street lighting was switched off and all windows were required to be 'blacked out' at night with curtains or shutters. Edith and her sister Evelyn were firewardens on the estate where they lived and their role was to check that all buildings were blacked out and also to advise the fire brigade of any fires that had started due incendary devices or other bombs during the air raids.
Many people had shelters to use during these raids. The shelters were built in holes dug into the ground and covered with earth. Many lives were saved this way. During the heavy bombing raids people spent most nights in their shelters and as a result the shelters became well equipped with items required for overnight stays. As an added precaution sand bags were distributed to everyone to protect the shelter entrance. These were often used to extinguish small fires. As one of the main naval bases in the UK, Devonport Dockyard became a prime target during the blitz.
On VE Day 1945 (Victory In Europe)Edith, Evelyn and a friend went to Plymouth Hoe with six Royal Marines and danced the night away in celebration. Edith still has one sister alive reaching the grand old age of 102 last September. As for Edith, she will 97 years old this year.

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