大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Mairi Campbell of the 大象传媒 on behalf of Jean Coutts and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

My story started in June 1941. When I volunteered for the WAAF I was rejected due to short sightedness, I was accepted in January 1942 but only to be a cook or a balloon operator. Parents had to give permission 鈥� so Dad said straight away to be a cook, we never see our wee lassie again on a balloon. Left Aberdeen Jan 42 with two girls. A nightmare journey to Gloucester, we changed train 4 times 鈥� experienced an air raid in Birmingham was terrified, I had never been away from home before. Arrived at Ainsworth (Gloucester) for one week to be kitted out. Posted to Morecombe for 4 weeks. Posted to RAF Meeksham for 3 weeks cooks training then to RAF Hereford for another 3 weeks training, then 52 DTU Grangemouth, 4 weeks in Airman鈥檚 Mess, then 2977 Squadron RAF Regiment RAF Avonside.

I was there till May 1943 when the regiment went abroad. Then posted to the RAF Balado Bridge Officers Mess Cook till January 1944. I went on leave for New Year but was recalled to HRC Arbroath (recruiting unit for the last call up before the war ended). No more leave all letters censored before D 鈥� Day. The unit was closed down in February 1945 and I was the posted to RAF Hospital at Cosford, by the time the war in Europe was drawing to a close and we were preparing for RAF prisoners coming home from Germany. Some were burned and injured and some were ok. In Aug VJ Day preparing once more for prisoners coming from Jap camps. I will never forget the sights I saw due to bad treatment. By this time they were asking for volunteers for Western Europe, my parents refused permission because I was under 21.

I forgot to mention an episode at Grangemouth regarding my eyesight. Due to excessive heat in the cook house, the lenses kept falling out of my frames. I had to go to see the Group Captain Eye specialist in Edinburgh castle who immediately offered me a discharge. It broke my heart, it had taken me 6 months to get in, so I promised to wear steel frames while working. I always seemed to be working with girls with the same Christian name, so I ended up being called Panda, I wandered why and was told because having put on 3 stone of weight I was fat and cuddly, I still receive mail 鈥渄ear Panda鈥�.

Gosford Camp Hospital was in the beginning of skin grafting, so it was aptly named the camp of miracle cures, also the men were given aluminium legs and it was amazing to watch them play football.

I attended Burma Star 60th anniversary reunion in the Beach Ballroom Aberdeen. My late husband served with the Royal Artillery in Burma, the Duke of Edinburgh was there and talked to all the veterans. He got a standing ovation after laying a wreath at the church.

I don鈥檛 get around very much these days but am celebrating tomorrow with my WAAF friends on my 82nd Birthday!

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