大象传媒

In 1942 I had to enlist because I was 20 Yrs old.I was given the choice of going into the Army,land Army, or Munitions.I chose the Army. On the 6th of May I had to Report to Bowerham Barracks in Lancaster.
I had to travel from Victoria railway station in Manchester and I met several other girls like myself leaving to join the army some were in tears.
What a shock we got when we arrived at the barracks it was very old and cold and the only thing that was any good were the bunk beds.The first day was taken up with Innoculations and injections and something that was called an "FFI" Medical which stands for (free from infection).After being prodded and poked and jabbed by all and sundry we were given a uniform and some shoes and confined to barracks for the weekend!!!
Monday soon came around and we started to do marching drill P/T and all sorts of small tests.Eventually we were asked to choose an arm of the service and I chose the ! ACK ACK! The Royal Artillery and was then posted to Oswestry for training.
We had to learn how to use the instruments to help direct the guns,we had things like height finders and predictors which were needed to fire the guns accurately.Once trained you were sent to a gun emplacement, were you had to work 24hrs on and 24 hrs off,when you were on duty and the alarm you had to be at your post in 2 minutes an dready for action.On your 24 hrs off you had to do guard duty and kitchen fatigues which included spud bashing and pot washing,all this for 1 shilling and 4 pence a day plus board lodging and clothing. we learned to make the best of everything and how to look after ourselves also to be sociable and friendly,I served 3 and a half years was very happy for the most part and saw a lot of England in the process.

Cpl Norma Earith (Nee Finch)

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