大象传媒

It was getting towards the end of the bombing that I joined the P.A.M.S. (Police Auxiliary Messenger Service). I did not fancy the idea but some of my friends said it was great; you get a uniform with it, so off I went with a couple of the other lads. I was told I would be taught how to use a telephone (not the ones we use today, but the Army type where one had to turn a handle to get your contact at the other end). We P.A.M.S> would have to take down on paper, messages of bomb damage and destruction, casualties and any other problems pertaining to the war that the A.R.P. (Air Raid Precaution)people and the police would get involved. Before I started I had to sign a form saying that I was 14 years old (which Ii wasn鈥檛 quite) and to get my parents consent, which I did. When I was signing there was a great hulk of a police inspector standing over me watching me sign this form. I was scared stiff and shaking in my shoes, however, I managed to sign and was accepted in and measured for my uniform. I seemed to get on well with the policemen, although they were a stern lot we had many laughs. If I went to the station earlier that I should in the evening, I would get supper from them, a mug of tea and a spam sandwich or whatever was going.

I stayed in the P.A.M.S for a little while but as I said earlier the air raids had almost finished and there was little for me to do, so I gave it up , one thing though, it was great to be in long trousers.

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Anastasia Travers a volunteer with WM CSV Actiondesk on behalf of Norman Bailey and has been added to the site with his permission. Norman Bailey fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

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