大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the People's War site by a volunteer from newcastlecsv on behalf of D Holey [name of contributor/author] and has been added to the site with his / her permission. D. Holey fully understands the site's terms and conditions".

In 1942 I knew I would be conscripted. All women had to serve in H.M.S. FORCES or join the Land Army or do War work. Having previously lived in London, but moved back North because my Mother couldn鈥檛 stand the bombings down there I was anxious to return to London I had made lots of friends so I thought I could do my bit down there. Off I went to London, actually to Southall, Middlesex, to stay with Arthur and Mary Henderson distant relations. I immediately changed my address on my ration book and identity card Arthur told me to go to the Hoover Factory in Greenford. I think it was Greenford, they were doing war work. I did a test, I was told I could have a job, but I would have to go the the Labour Exchange for a green card, which I did, only to be told that all the girls from that area had to go to Worcester, and that was where I would be sent. You see I had made myself a resident of Southall, by changing my address on my ration book and identity card.

I wasn鈥檛 happy about that, I didn鈥檛 know anybody in Worcester. In my disappointment I went to the pictures, 鈥淢rs Miniver鈥� was on, and I cried all the way through it.

I took myself home, back to Sunderland knowing I would be sent to Manchester along with all the Sunderland girls.

I worked on the Lancaster Bomber, belling the pipes. Now when I see the only Lancaster that is left, either at the air show at Seaburn, or when it flys majestically in a fly past formation on the TV, I am very PROUD,and I like to think, that perhaps some of my pipes are in the only Lancaster that is left.

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