- Contributed by听
- Bournemouth Libraries
- People in story:听
- Betty Ryder
- Location of story:听
- North London
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A3730565
- Contributed on:听
- 01 March 2005
Betty remembers that she was 20 when the war began. Living in Palmers Green in North London, she worked in the City. When the sirens went off they ran to their neighbours shelter; four of them, four of us, two cats and a parrot. Jammed until the all-clear sounded, that was the last time she went down into the shelter.
Her firm evacuated Betty to St.Albans; it was lovely there as she were housed in a girls school. At night the sky was sometimes red with all the fires burning throughout the London area. My father was in the reserve police. At weekends I could still get home, cycling all the way.
In 1941 Betty lost her boyfriend so joined the Wrens. She was put with the Canadians who were very friendly to all, there being no class barriers with them. She was posted abroad to Egypt, following the war through Africa and onto Italy. The worst danger were the Americans!
One day Betty had to do the Admirals' Parade. She had never done any drill before. A petty officer was put in charge who had just had a nervous breakdown. On parade everyone was useless, going in all different directions. The officer had another breakdown.
It was a sad time as so many people didn't come back. You just had to carry on.
(PK)
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