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I was working in the Courthouse in Omagh in the County Surveyor’s department in the spring of 1939, when my boss’s wife Mrs. Glasgow came recruiting for the ATS. I really knew very little about this organization but was encouraged to volunteer, along with my sister, Sheena, who also worked in the Courthouse. We went to camp in Helen’s Bay for two weeks training in April of that year with the newly formed Omagh company.

On arriving home from work on Friday the 25th of August we were taken totally by surprise to find letters instructing us to report at the Military Barracks in Omagh before 12 o’clock the following day, for full time service. With the letters was a list of items we must bring with us, including our bicycles. This came as a considerable shock to my parents. On arrival on the Sat we were taken to Dergmoney Villas on the Dublin Road where we were allocated bedrooms. The following morning we had to walk about a mile back to the barracks for breakfast.

I had opted to do clerical work whereas my sister decided to become an orderly. However, in true army fashion I became the orderly and my sister the clerk. As part of my duties I was instructed to thoroughly clean the Officers’ Mess. I thought I had done a really good job until my Sergeant came along and pointed out a cobweb. I still remember how mortified I was. I also recall preparing the officers’ dinner table and placing flowers on the table. While I was serving dinner I overheard an officer remark ‘how nice to see the touch of a lady’s hand.’

On the following Sunday morning I remember sitting in the Mess when we heard Sir Neville Chamberlain make the announcement that Britain was at war with Germany. Our company Sergeant Major, Mrs. Glasgow wept, remembering the son she had lost in the last war.

Isobel Mitchell (nee Smyth)

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