´óÏó´«Ã½

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Bruce Logan of the CSV Media NI Team on behalf of Gwyn Harvey and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
====

We had relatives in Leicestershire so off we went. Once settled and reported to the Labour exchange (this was compulsory) I was directed to work at the BTH factory in Coventry making condensers for aircraft magnets. We worked 12 hour shifts often spending 4 of these in the air raid shelters — I was fed up and the only escape was to volunteer for nursing in the services so I opted for the WAAF.

After initial training being drilled by a Black Watch Sgt — very fierce - I went to Blackpool. Sitting in Olympia of the Winter Gardens learning the mystery of Morse Code and the working of the wireless sets.

I left as a qualified wireless operator and was posted to 13 Base MU at Elsham Wolds in the lost world of Lincolnshire. They had too many wireless ops, so I was put to work in the mechanic section. After 100 hrs of flying the Lancasters were brought in to have all the equipment stripped out and then replaced with new serviceable gear.

Having signed for the new wireless gear I was expected to go on a test flight to prove it worked. On one occasion I’d tested the T.R. 1154/55 and it was OK. By now we were over the North Sea, I was told to get into the mid upper turret — grab the handles with my thumbs, the ammunition belts tore around me and the noise was deafening — I stropped quickly, they worked.
On landing I discovered I’d hit an aerial!

I was teased for days until one of the chaps accidentally pressed a button on a flight and released an inflatable dingy on to the aircraft’s wing — it was his turn to be ribbed.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.