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This story was given to Conor Garrett and transcribed by volunteer Mairead Gilheany

I am now 91 years of age and from Dublin. I joined the WRENS at the beginning of the war. I had been teaching in schools in England before the war. I had been doing first- aid but wanted to do more so I joined up.

I went to Liverpool and then to the Lake District before going to the Royal College at Greenwich, lecturing to the Cadets. I went home once via Holyhead but there was an air raid and so I spent two days and two nights in shelters. All the people there were coming from dances, still attempting to live a normal life despite the war. It took another two days to get back to Dublin.

After the war I was teaching in Sevenoaks in Kent and would take the children for a trip to Greenwich to see where Nelson lay in state. I showed them the secret passageway that was used by people like myself during the war for safety. The children found this thrilling.

I used to take the squadron drill at 6 o’clock in the morning but the conditions were very good at Greenwich — we were waited on by stewards wearing white gloves and the food was wonderful.

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