大象传媒

Have you ever wondered how we used to know if we'd come into contact with poisonous gas? Here's how!

In 1942, I was 16 years old (the same age as the present Queen) and had become a member of the Girls' Training Corps in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Not many people remember the Girls' Training Corps these days, but it was great fun.

We'd meet once a week at Tunbridge Wells County Grammar School. We did so much -- we went on Church Parades, we learnt firefighting, first aid -- and gas precautions. Once, we had to enter a Gas Chamber of sorts (a small room we had to walk through) -- they'd pump gas in, and we had to lift the corner of our mask. I can't remember tasting it, though.

I loved learning these things. You weren't paid, but it wasn't compulsory, and you did if for King and Country. We learnt drill, which came in handy in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF.) (FOR A STORY ABOUT MY TIME IN THE WAAF, TAP "SNOW ON MY BLANKET" INTO THE SEARCH ENGINE.) Everyone was so friendly -- more so than nowadays, I think. Everyone was suffering in the same way.

THIS STORY WAS SUBMITTED TO THE SITE BY JOHN YOUNG OF 大象传媒 SOUTH EAST TODAY ON BEHALF OF MARY LONGLEY. SHE UNDERSTANDS THE SITE'S TERMS AND CONDTIONS.

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