大象传媒

This contribution to WW2 People鈥檚 War was received by the Action Desk on 大象传媒 Radio Norfolk. The story has been written and submitted to the website by Jane Bradbury (Volunteer Story Gatherer) with the full permission and on behalf of Betty Smith.

In February 1942 I enlisted in the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) with sister Kath. We were instructed to report to the ATS Training Centre in Northampton on 20th February. The day was cold. As we travelled by train from Norwich we were met at Northampton and taken by army truck to the reception centre. I well remember the smokey atmosphere from the combustion stoves in the wooden hut where we reported. With the checking of our documents over, the next step was a visit to the Quartermaster鈥檚 Store to be kitted out. Being short, the greatcoat seemed heavy and stiff. I felt bundled up and never did get used to wearing it. We spent six weeks at the training camp learning army rules and regulations, drilling, numerous tests, medical, gas chamber, fire drill and being put through the ropes by junior NCOs. My thoughts at times were what on earth have I let myself in for, but I soon got the hang of the routine.
Our first posting as clerks was to the 9th AA (Anti Aircraft) Division HQ based in the precincts of Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, Wales. I joined the General Staff section and Kath Administration. Other members of staff were very helpful, but took great delight at poking fun at out Norfolk accent. Our living quarters were in requisitioned houses in Llandaff. Work was fairly routine with occasional night duties and barrack nights, when we were confined to quarters.
After six months in the Welsh capital we moved to Bristol, the headquarters of the 3rd AA Group, stationed at Horfield Barracks. The barrack blocks were grey granite, cold looking buildings with a stone stairway leading to our room, which housed twenty. Washing facilities were across a road in the ablution block. We ran the gauntlet in all weathers. After a few initial hitches we were a happy crowd and enjoyed the comradeship which lasted two and a half years. Social life was busy: local Service Clubs, invites to shows and homes of local people and when the Americans based their HQ within the barracks there was entertainment galore, dances at various camps around the Bristol area with trucks provided by the Americans. All good clean fun.When we moved to Bristol Kath became clerk to the Padre, a job which she loved. I continued my clerical duties with the General Staff section which dealt with the deployment and movement of anti-aircraft and searchlight units and equipment. We were kept extremely busy during the build up to the D-day landings in 1944, when the war seemed to be turning in our favour.
Our happy association with Bristol came to an end, the 3rd AA Group was disbanded and we moved to London to become the 1st AA Group whose headquarters was located at 247, Knightsbridge, in luxury flats. Our billets, too, were supposedly prestigious accommodation in Rutland Court, but they didn鈥檛 strike me as being anything very special. We carried on with our same duties; by now I was deputy chief clerk and Kath was still enjoying her work with the clergy. In Cardiff and Bristol there had been heavy destructive bombing raids before we arrived, in London too. The bombing had stopped but buzz bombs and rockets were still being fired at the Capital. I was quite close when a rocket fell but escaped unscathed.
During our stay in Knightsbridge our local stores were Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Derry and Toms in Kensington. Leisure times were spent at Servicemen鈥檚 Clubs in and around Leicester Square, concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, theatres and meals at Lyons Corner Houses. On VE and VJ days we were there in the Mall with the thousands joining in the victory celebrations. With the war ending and private property being derequisitioned we were on the move once more to new living quarters, this time to a Nissen hutted camp in the middle of Hyde Park. A memory that remains vividly with me is walking back to our billets and watching the reflection of the park lights dancing on the Serpentine Lake after six years of blackout.
Sister Kath was demobbed in January 1946 and I was demobbed six months later. In all a very interesting, happy experience. I made lots of good friends, my knowledge and outlook broadened and I am pleased that I had the opportunity to take part. Readjusting to civilian life took a little while, missing the good comradeship.

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