大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Claire White of 大象传媒 Scotland on behalf of Margaret McNair and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

My maiden name was Margaret Jerrit and I was born in 1922 in Flemington Street, Springburn, Glasgow. I worked from September 1939 in Departmental Costing at Fredrick Braby & Co Ltd; their premises were in Darnick Street, Springburn. I was very happy in my working life there and the head of the Statistical Department was Mr James Berry, originally from Springburn. I registered for National Service with an option for the WAAFs. I was exempted because the work I did was considered of national importance.

At the beginning of the war, in September 1939 I volunteereed to join Springburn First Aid Post. The Public Baths in Kay Street were taken over, the pool covered over with flooring and the area was fitted with safety doors, and this was where the group met. During the following years I attended various classes to attain my 3 year Ambulance Certificate. Dr McLachlan, one of the Springburn doctors, held an instruction class in Cowlairs Co-operative Hall in Angus Street. I also attended a class to learn the techniques of Artificial Respiration. Early in the war, a group of Rover Scouts joined the Post. Here are some of the people I worked beside in the Post: Hamish McLean, Ian McKay, Dougie Cameron, John Low, George Jerrit (my brother), Peter Waldie, James Weir (taken prisoner), Andy Mair (the first casualty we had). We had a very moving memorial service for Andy and I'll always remember singing "For Those In Peril On the Sea".

We organised a small Social Committee of which I was a member and we had snooker and table tennis matches. Also some of us were interested in Hostelling and had the odd weekend away. The numbers in the group gradually diminished as the boys and girls were called up.

On a lighter note, Glasgow Corporation used to organise a dance in the Banqueting Hall of the City Chambers on a Saturday night. They invited servicemen passing through Glasgow to attend. Invitations were sent out to the various First Aid Posts and other organisations, so that partners would be there too. In Springburn we always got invitations for four ladies. Being fond of dancing, I very often had the privilege of going and it was always a great night, with a terrific buffet laid out at the top of the marble staircase. It was great to meet young men from all over the country and Americans and Australians too.

Although the war was on I had five very memorable years. I was only seventeen in 1939 and made lots of very lasting friendships. One couple I knew married: George Elrick, a scout messenger and Jean Low. They now live in Australia and I still correspond with them. This was one small part of my life I'll never forget. I remember when the First Aid Post closed and I organised a Welcome Home night at the end of the war. We had a memorable get-together in the Masonic Hall in Vulcan Street in Springburn.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.