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Living at Longden Green, Shrewsbury, I left school at the age of 14 and although I really wanted to get into the music business I went to work in a drapery store in the town but at the start of WW2 I had to get a job of ‘National Importance’.
I joined St John’s Ambulance as a VAD (Voluntary Aide Detachment) at a military convalescent home 5 miles from the town at Leaton Knowles, the other staff were mainly Red Cross. I was there for 4 years. My sister, who is 6yrs younger than I, did her bit as well she was still at school but on Sundays she cycled out to the home and helped with afternoon teas!
Remembering back — some of the patients were ‘up’ patients, some ‘bed ’patients who came from the military hospitals for about 6 weeks at a time and then were cleared to go back to their units. We used to play bowls and crocket with the patients who were well enough and I had a nickname ‘Miffy’!
My uniform was that of St John’s ‘Day Time’, long grey sleeves, huge white apron and stiff cuffs and collars. My mum did my laundry, starched my aprons and she ironed them with a flat iron. We always had to look very smart.
When the patients were well enough to come into Shrewsbury I used to send them up Mums and she could always find them something to eat, fish cakes, rissoles, omelettes (made with dried egg). They always had a real feast.
I still have photos of some of the patients, the lovely big house and grounds. They are great treasures.
It was all a long time ago.

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