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Olive Campbell Todd was called up in November 1942 and demobbed in April 1946 to Pay Corps in Leeds. 227864 was her number. It was quite an experience for Olive having come from a comfortable home and then having to live the army life and go into barracks at Edinburgh to train. Looking back it was one of the best things she ever did.

Vera was only 9 months old when was broke out. She has attended the British Legion since she was 5 as her Father was killed in the war. Her uncle from Leadgate was a war time footballer for Newcastle United, although all matches were suspended during the war.

Kathleen can remember having brick shelter but they didn’t go into it as she didn’t trust it, they used to go into the pantry instead, which they did on the occasion a bomb fell at Medomsley. They were huddled together and thought their end had come. Her little sister had a Mickey Mouse gas mask on. Her Dad worked at the Co-op, so they were very fortunate as they didn’t go without anything.

Nancy wanted to go into the Wren’s but she was too young. She was 14 when war started and had a good social life; Beetle Drives in houses, dances, knitting for soldiers. She met her husband through her cousin who brought her husband to Leadgate on leave on VE Day, where there was a big party in the square. There were lots of bonfires lit to celebrate the end of the war. On the day her cousin came and got her up out of bed and she went with her rollers in. It was her birthday the next day and her husband to be took her to Newcastle to celebrate. He was from Sheffield.

Another lady volunteered to join the ATS Records at Winchester. She then met her husband at Richmond, North Yorkshire — he was in the Green Howards and they married in 1945. She remembers the wartime period as very happy times. She grew up quickly and made some lovely friends one of whom she still keeps in touch with. Winchester was a lovely place to be based, but she came down to earth with a bump as she had to look after herself for the first time. Her Mother was an Air Raid Warden.

Disclaimer: submitted by Carole Nesbit at Consett Library on behalf of Olive, Vera, Kathleen, Nancy and another lady who didn't leave her name.

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