大象传媒

I was born at North Shields, Northumberland on 24/10/1925 and christened Sylvia Blacklock. When war was declared on 03/09/1939 I was still at school. The authorities closed the school and all pupils who were 14 years of age were allowed to leave and as I attained that age on the 24th of October I left and never returned to school. My parents allowed me to go to Haydon Bridge in Northumberland to be trained for Child Welfare. It was a large house in its own grounds which boarded children from 2-5 years of age.
When I was 16 years old another assistant suggested we joined up. So, one day we rode over, by bus, to Hexham Recruiting office. The other girl was 17 and a half years of age and the surprising thing was that they never asked for my birth certificated, so the date of birth in my AB64 (Army Book, which I still have today) is 24/04/1924. When I received my calling up papers it informed me to report to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on 11/11/1941 from where I was posted to Neville's Cross, Co Durham for one months training. It was quite gruelling but I still enjoyed it and was quite proud when I passed with a "well done" because I had six brothers, three of whom were already serving in the war. This made me feel that I was doing my bit. My eldest brother, Archie, was a Fusilier, in the army, stationed in India, Benny and Arther were in the merchant Navy and were at sea when war was declared. Unfortunately, they were both lost at sea, Arthur aged 18 years in 1940 and Benny aged 21 years on the 14th of July 1942.
After finishing my training I was posted to 517 Searchlight Battery, which was based at Corringham Road, Gainsborough, there I was trained to be a tele-plotter. We liaised with the R.A.F who gave us warnings of enemy aircraft in the area together with map readings and type of aircraft which in turn we relayed to all sites in the area.
In 1942 we moved to Melton Mowbray but, sadly, in 1943 84th S/L Regiment (which 517 Bty was part of) was disbanded. The A.T.S, which were attached to the Battery, were posted to different parts of the country. Six of us remained together as a group and were posted to R.E.M.E which were based at Newark. We were pleased to be together and work just as telephonists, being responsible for sending out coded messages or deciphering ones that came for the Senior Officer.
In February 1944 I got married to Sgt. Bishop who had been a site commander in 517 S/L Bty. My parents did me proud. I was married in white with two bridesmaids and 60 guests attended the wedding. Considering that there was rationing for clothes and food I think my parents worked wonders, especially as I also had a three tier wedding cake.
In August 1945 I was discharged and went to live in Worksop, Notts. This was where my husband came from.
I served nearly 4 years and in my military conduct was exemplary.

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