大象传媒

This story has been submitted to the Peoples War website by Glenda Lightowler and has been added with her permission. The author is fully aware of the site's terms and conditions.

Transcript of hand-written account
My first experience as a voluntary canteen worker
When I woke up last Saturday morning. I realised that I had a very bad cold, and I was just about to sink back into the pillows and feel sorry for myself when I remembered that it was my first morning 'On Duty' at the canteen. (I promised Eleanore ages ago that I would go, as soon as the holidays were over) so blowing my nose hard and swallowing a hasty breakfast (and seeing Glenda safely on the way to Cowleys to play with Pauline) I arrived on the canteen doorstep front at 9.30 am to find the place empty, except for a youth aged about 17, who was busy taking the 'blackout' down. (The canteen is run by an estate agent called Makin and this was his office boy whom I afterwards heard the soldiers address as 'Spitfire', presumably because he is a member of the ATC. Well, Spitfire informed me that 'Mrs Murray' whose also supposed to be on duty was unable to come, and he proceeded to initiate me into the whys and wherefores of the region behind the counter. He explained the workings of the hot water geyser (for making tea) but not very adequately! - How to book up the billiards etc. He showed me where various things were kept and then the confectionery arrived from the 'l'alaline', and I buttered and jammed dozens of scones and we arranged the other cakes, and made a huge pot of tea, popping on a gigantic tea cosy. I milked and sugared umpteen cups, in readiness and Spitfire took himslef off for a solitary game of billiards - so I sat down and made good use of my handkerchief and took stock of my surroundings- nice clean cheerful place, and the wireless playing lively tunes on the forces program. Eventually in walked our first customers 'Two cups of tea please', so I poured out and handed them over, depositing their pennies in the till, and thinking 'Oh canteen work is easy.' A few more soldiers came straggling in. Captain Lethan's batman accompanied by the captain's dog, Tarzan, a lovely gold and brown spaniel who quickly gobbled up all the broken biscuits. I handed over the billiard cues and table tennis balls. A little red headed soldier asked for tea and bought Tarzan a cake, but he did not buy one for himself. (Perhaps he was hard up?) Spitfire came back and asked me if I could manage alone for a while. I said 'Yes I think so', and he was off like a shot. Well things went along very smoothly for about ten minutes, and then in rolled FIFTEEN sailors, all asking for stamps and tea and cakes and to my dismay, I discovered that the big teapot was empty. I glanced wildly around for the tea tin - couldn't find it - felt an awful fool, being aware of fifteen pairs of eyes focused on the back of my head. I explained that I was new - and that they would have to be patient, and seeing a policeman to the left of the service hatch I decided it would be safe to leave the place - grabbed a shilling out of the till, and dashed across to 'Sutherlands' panted 'Quarter of tea for the canteen please. thank you' dashed back and shoved half the packet in the pot and turned the geyser on same. While it was filling up I served buns and cakes - then I couldn't turn the darned geyser off again, so had to put a huge jug under the tap. Poured out the first cup and found out that the water had, apparently, not been boiling, stirred it up (desperately) and tried again - not quite so bad! Handed a few cups over with a bright smile and hoped for the best (evidently sailors don't care - they accepted it cheerfully). Dashed back to the geyser jug - nearly overflowing! Had a sudden inspiration and managed to get it to stop. 'More teas' "Yes please' BUT ALAS NO CLEAN CUPS. Shouted 'Will you return your empty cups please!' Flung umpteen cups and saucers into the sink and fished them out and dried them - poured tea etc. Repeated this procedure again and again, as more soldiers came in. (Sent the little red head for extra milk.) Served soap and toothpaste and shoe polish - gave change (and whenever possible blew my nose) Milk arrived, so made more tea, more successfully. Sailors kept coming back for more and I became aware that the counter was almost cleared of confectionery. Found a tin of biscuits and filled up the empty plates. Suddenly as the church clock struck twelve, the place almost emptied, as if by magic, and taking advantage of the lull I was able to catch up on the washing up, and do a spot of general tidying, serving an odd customer now and then. I was relieved at 1pm by another helper, and as I walked home I thought 'here endeth my first morning at the canteen' - and it suddenly struck me that although I must have served at least 100 cups of tea, I never had time for one myself!

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