- Contributed by听
- West Sussex Library Service
- People in story:听
- Marie Stevens (nee Tompkins), Doris Giles
- Location of story:听
- East Dulwich and Richmond, London
- Background to story:听
- Civilian Force
- Article ID:听
- A4436552
- Contributed on:听
- 12 July 2005
This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Penny Kingsmill from Crawley Library and has been added to the website on behalf of Marie Stevens with her permission and she fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.
Just before the War my friend and I went to the Cinema. We lived in East Dulwich. They were showing all the things you could do should war break out. We decided to join the NFS National Fire Service as they paid more.
The Fire Station was in Lordship Lane, East Dulwich. My wages were 拢2.00 per week. We could not join the other services due to commitments at home. We had to attend about once a week. We were issued with a uniform. We felt very smart and important in our uniform.
When the war was declared we had to go straight to the Fire Station and take a tin of Corned Beef, a blanket and a pillow. As there were no beds we slept on the floor with our shoes under the pillow.
The Air Raid Siren was sounded but it was a false alarm. We noticed lights in the sky, which we thought was gun fire it turned out to be the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis.
Some time later we were issued with mattresses but no bunks.
I married in 1941 and was transferred to Richmond Fire Station. I was given a promotion to the rank of Leading Fire Woman. I had about ten girls under my command. Our quarters were above a disused fish and chip shop, it used to smell of fish and chips. One night I woke up to see a Monk. He stood looking at me holding a lantern. I heard my name being called by my Husband. I found out later that his plane and gone into a spin. Luckily he was OK.
My Husband was sadly shot down and killed in 1943. He was twenty one. He was in Bomber Command and bombing the V1 and V2 factory on Penemunder. Fourty Two planes were lost that night. He was stationed in Yorkshire near Ripon.
At the end of the War I left the Fire Station. I was awarded the George Medal for long service.
I would love to find out what happened to my friend Doris Giles, the girl I went the the pictures with that night.
Marie Beatrice Stevens 7th July 2005
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