大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War Site by GMR Acton Desk on behalf of Janey Hall and has been added to the site with her permission. At the start of the war I was working at Ames Crosta Mills, Dawson Street, Heywood, which was a sewage purification engineering works. I worked in the cost office and my occupation was reserved. Our job involved providing sewage plants for all the military camps which were being set up at the time. The camps had Nissen huts for accommodation and obviously each camp required a sewage plant. One design was suitable for every camp.
We were working in the Moss Iron Works which had to be extended because of the extra work being undertaken.
In summer we were on double summertime hours which seemed to upset many people鈥檚 routines and that of the cows who were confused at milking times. We stayed on that system all through the war.
Holidays were cancelled at the start of the war so we obviously worked more hours, and with the extra money I earned, I bought a black bike. About six or seven of us from the office would cycle around Broadfield the Three Arrows and Whitefield and cycle back at night but it was still daylight.
In May/June 1939 all 19 to 20 year olds had to register at the Labour Exchange. { It was announced in the newspapers} This was identifying people for future conscription.
Whilst I was working I got a letter to go to the Labour Exchange to be allocated a part time job. There was the fire service, the police and the A.R.P. { Air raid precautions} I was called up to join the fire service in about 1942. Duties were in the control room working alongside a full time worker. The day was split into three watches. We had to log all the calls that came in and if a call came in on the alarm the woman would press a bar to alert the firemen. The firemen would then follow a motor bike dispatch rider to the scene of the fire.
For the first twelve months we were at the control fire station in York Street, Heywood . We worked one night in eight from 7o鈥檆lock at night to 7o鈥檆lock in the morning. That was the fire women. Part time firemen did one night in every six. Guess why !!!!!
We once paraded on a march through Ramsbottom on the way to church and it was an inspiring day. We felt that people were pleased that we were there, doing a valuable service.
At Farnworth we did training in calling out the firemen for emergencies. We were tested on taking calls and mobilising the fire teams. W e went from Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon doing drill and making good use of the time. We met other groups and were able to exchange ideas. All in all I really enjoyed my time working with the fire service.

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