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NORAH FERN (nee Hird)
NAAFI ~Navy, Army, Air Force Institution

Norah was born in Railway Cottages, near The Bowes Moor Hotel, and as her father worked for the railways they moved around in the area before settling in Barnard Castle. She had one sister. After school she worked at Northern Industries (where Dunelm Court is now) in a building which was part of the barracks.

I did hand quilting with a tiny needle and a thimble and put Meths on our fingers to hardened them. We made quilts, cot quilts, dressing gowns, tea cosies and cushions and made several quilts for the Queen. It was run by a committee which included Miss Walton, Miss Hunter and Mrs Watson. There were two large rooms ~ one was the ‘stuffing room ‘ where a disabled boy stuffed the cushions with kapok, and the quilts were stuffed with sheep’s wool that had to be teased out. The covers were made from shantung, satin and chintz which was put into quilting frames to be sewn. They worked the first week for nothing, then 6d per week until they got a rise to 1s. I finished with 8s 6d per week. Four people would scrub the place out every week and get 6d. It was closed when the War came and then we made rivets gloves, setting the thumbs and fingers in by hand.

I managed to get into the NAAFI where my sister worked, despite being too young. It was where the Parish Hall is now. Then I moved to the NAAFI at Streatlam, then the one at Westwick Camp and finally the YMCA canteen at Deerbolt Camp. I wore a khaki uniform and had blue overalls. At Streatlam she slept in barracks as I had to get up very early. I can remember having fun at night with the lads when they finished work. We served teas and cakes ~ big ginger biscuits, ginger squares and bakewell tarts, which came from the NAFFI bakery every day. All were large to fill the lads. We also sold ‘Nett’ chocolate bars and cigarettes, but they were limited. There was also a supper bar serving food, especially chips, where there would be great long queues. There were dances and a cinema at the camp and we came into Barnard Castle with boyfriends. I was saddened that an 18-year-old school friend was killed the first day he went to War.

Norah married one of the soldiers who was billeted in the town, but as he was a batman to an officer in the South Staffordshire Regiment, they moved to Wolverhampton. When they returned to Barnard Castle, Norah went to Glaxo to work before having her family. Since then she worked at Guy’s Bakers until she retired.

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