大象传媒

Continued from part 1 see A8174018

The WRNS who were already at FORWARD when we arrived were quartered at Denton, whereas we were quartered at Surrey House, Seaford. This had been a men's convalescent home - an Edwardian building with lovely views, set in its own grounds. When Irene and I were first quartered there, we were put in a particularly drab cabin at the back of the house apart from the main rooms. It was wooden-partitioned, painted a drab chocolate brown, had no outlook and was terribly depressing. We shared it with two others. As soon as we knew our way round, we quickly put in for a move to another cabin and got a much better room -large and airy, with a lovely view. There was Irene and myself, Ruth Hall, Mavis Cook, Mavis' friend, and another girl I cannot now name. Mavis' friend had a penchant for soft toys and her bunk was covered with them.

Each cabin was a small unit in itself. We always tried to bunk up with friends but were often a motley lot thrown together. We were responsible for keeping the cabin clean. Frequent random inspections by Quarters staff were a big incentive. They would come round carrying a long walking stick with a crook handle and reach under beds and into corners. There were bunk beds (top bunk always the most popular), and 4-drawer chests-of-drawers shared by 2 people, so in a cabin for 6 there would be 3 bunk beds, 3 chests-of-drawers and a curtained off corner to hang our uniforms, topcoats, raincoats, etc.

Size was a disadvantage with some rooms that were used as cabins (dormitories). One I was in, slept 24 (6 double bunks each side - like a hospital ward). As we were watch-keepers on differing watches, it was difficult to sleep during the day with comings and goings, radios on, chatter, etc. Each cabin rented a radio from a shop in Seaford (about 1/6d. to 2/- (7陆 to 10p) per week), to which we all contributed. These were more or less permanently tuned to the American Forces Network (except for 大象传媒 news and ITMA (acronym for a popular contemporary radio programme It's that man again starring Tommy Handley)).

We were detailed for fire watch duties (by rota, we had to give our times when on watch in the tunnel). We did not always take kindly to patrolling the attic floors when we would much rather have stayed in bed and taken our chances.

During the warm summer days of 1944, we would come off night watch, grab blankets and pillows, and find somewhere in the gardens to sleep. Always we 'looked out'for each other, making sure we woke in time for lunch or a 'date'. Some girls would really sunbathe - stripping down to the bare necessities. This was suddenly stopped. There was a Polish fighter squadron at Polegate. When they came back from a sortie over the Channel, they diverted off-course and flew low over Surrey House to view the bathing belles. Their CO got in touch with our WRNS Officer and we were all told to be more circumspect.

Other houses in Seaford were also taken over as WRNS Quarters, for a short while I was at Hughenden which was nearer the town centre.

The greater proportion of the WRNS quartered at Seaford worked for NOIC Newhaven as Boats crew, Torpedo WRNS, Artificers, as well as the Writers etc. They were certainly a mixed bunch both in age and background. I remember Lavender Herbert, the daughter of A.P.H.Herbert (the author and columnist), an older person (Maisie) who was a gifted artist, a Bishop's daughter, several daughters of Admirals, and some university graduates. It was certainly an education in the University of Life for my friend Irene and me who came from a sleepy county town on the borders of England and Wales. (Irene and I were at school together from the age of 10, we joined the WRNS together, were at FORWARD together, and remained the closest of friends until sadly she died in 1991).

The FORWARD WRNS billeted at Seaford who worked at Newhaven HQ were bussed to and from watch. The bus would pick us all up, stopping at various points in Seaford. We would next go to Newhaven Harbour and then on to Denton. It would wait for those coming off watch, back to Newhaven Harbour to pick up those coming off watch there, then back to Seaford. (Woe betide anyone who missed the bus).

I must say we enjoyed being at Seaford. There was more to do off watch, a cinema, a good canteen in the centre of the town, the Scotch Tea Rooms and another caf茅 on the front. The more sophisticated joined Canadian Army Officers at the Pelham Club. There was the convenience of the nearby railway station so we could get to Brighton on our days free, and a frequent bus service to Brighton and Eastbourne (and all stops in between).

A favourite jaunt was to take the Eastbourne bus, get off at Exceat Farm, walk over High-and-Over Hill to Alfriston, have tea at the Urn or Drusillas (where occasionally we could get a BOILED EGG!!!) and then pick up a bus back again. Alternatively we would walk over the Seven Sisters where we got to know the various gun crews who always gave us tea and 'jelly pieces' (which I discovered to be Bread and Jam). Sometimes we would go to the coastguard cottages at Birling Gap where the Royal Observer Corps had a lookout point. Again, always good for tea and a bite to eat. I have some wonderful memories of warm summer days, the downs, cowslips, poppies, harebells AND lizards (not known in my part of the world).

My only experience of the HQ building on 'top of the tunnel' was coming on and off watch, and on Pay Day where we lined up before the Paymaster and his writer at a table. When called by name we approached, saluted, gave our name and number, received our pay, saluted again and walked away. I am almost sure it was 拢2 10s. a fortnight (拢2.50 in decimal money). We immediately put the bulk of our pay in the PO account, and then made frequent withdrawals of 5/- (25p) or even 2/6d (12陆 p).

Many of the girls had someone close in the Services (RAF, NAVY or ARMY - a husband, fianc茅, brother or parent). Some were POWs or posted as missing, so they would listen daily to Lord Haw-Haw's broadcasts from Germany - 'Germany calling, Germany calling' - as he would give long lists of POWs, wounded or bodies found etc. (as well as a whole lot of dis-information), e.g. when he announced that HMS FORWARD had been sunk!!! Too true, we thought. But there was great sadness when the minelayers (or sweepers) from Newhaven suffered heavy losses in the Scheldt estuary - so many of the girls lost their husbands, fianc茅s or boyfriends.

Of course, the old hands in the tunnel remembered the abortive raid made by the Canadians on Dieppe in 1942. I remember the army contingents being encamped at Denton just before D-Day, and seeing them march to Newhaven to embark on the various boats/landing craft. Perhaps, in many cases, we were the last girls they saw. We always waved enthusiastically - and cried a little.

I was on watch the day scheduled for D-Day but it was postponed for 24 hours because of bad weather. Before going off watch, the Commander spoke to us all emphasizing we must NOT speak even among ourselves, what we had seen and heard in the tunnel. We were all very solemn that night as we walked along Seaford front - the sea was really wild.

A day or two after D-Day the doodlebugs started. Initially we were made to get up every time one came over but, later, we would lie in our bunks and watch them. Fighter planes would try to tip them over with their wings - one plane was blown up. Often, in the morning, we would find shredded tin foil used to confuse German radar all over the grounds.

On the night of 22 November 1944 the whole tunnel rocked and juddered - an ammunition barge had broken adrift of its tow and had crashed into Newhaven west beach exploding on impact.

By February/March/April 1945, everything slackened and talk was all of 'when it's over'. Two at a time, we exchanged places with WRNS Telegraphists from Fort Southwick, Portsmouth, which had been the centre of all operations and planning for D-Day. I think we went for 2-3 weeks (to give the Portsmouth WRNS a break). What a difference! Fort Southwick was a tunnel as well but about ten times the size of FORWARD - all very pucker and correct. I did not like it at all - so impersonal and very strict discipline. There was a Warrant Officer Telegraphist in charge, everything was done by the book. Also there were frequencies about which I knew absolutely nothing, and no one instructed me. I never did find out about the UHF radio, who and what was the other end, and what was I supposed to do.

While I was at Southwick, I felt I made a little bit of history. Throughout the whole of one watch, at half-hourly intervals, I had to send out the ultimatum to the Channel Islands (in plain language), giving terms of surrender.

The WRNS were different from all other services - we were all volunteers, and we did not come under the Naval Discipline Code. If anyone 'deserted', no naval police brought us back - there was no punishment quarters etc. Instead, the matter was dealt with by the Civilian Authorities - you could not get far in those days without a ration book or identity card and they had the power to direct labour so you could be sent to munitions, the land or whatever.

That being so, we enjoyed many privileges:-

1. We did not have to wear the thick black issue stockings, but could wear fully-fashioned, seamed rayon or chiffon-lisle stockings with our uniform, - as long as they were BLACK. (Nylons were unheard of then).
2. Neither did we always wear the issue knickers (elastic waist and legs) known as passion killers or harvest bloomers (All is safely gathered in!).
3. Nightwear was a fashion parade, from lacey negligee type to warm pyjamas but DEFINITELY NOT the SLOPS (Naval stores) issue of hideous stockinette!

We could wear civvies off duty - this avoided having to salute anything in officer's uniform. It was a great freedom to off uniform and become ourselves. Ah! I hear you say - you needed clothing coupons to buy civvies. Well, we were issued with our initial uniform (hat, greatcoat, raincoat, 2 suits, shoes, stockings, shirts, collars, and tie). After that we had to buy all replacements out of our own money. You put in a request to Quarters for, say, 1 pair pyjamas (everyones favourite request) and you would be given a chit to purchase 1 pair pyjamas. This was equivalent to 8 clothing coupons. Local shops in Seaford, Lewes, and Brighton were not slow to offer to exchange these chits for any other clothing equivalent to 8 coupons. You could buy skirts, blouses, coats, knitting wool (even coats) - or even that which you had originally requested, i.e. - 1 pair of pyjamas.

I was on watch on VE Day and received the signal 'Splice the mainbrace'. I never did receive MY part of the mainbrace! That evening a gang of us went to Brighton and we sang and danced in the streets.

Thereafter everything was a great anticlimax - everyone was talking about demob Gradually people were posted away. It was obvious, in the W/T room that we had served our purpose and were now superfluous.

Some WRNS went on rehabilitation courses to decide their future in civvie street, some debated whether to stay in the service (Irene thought of staying on but was suddenly posted to a Fleet Air Arm station in Lancashire where her duties were no more than a receptionist and dogs body. She realised she would have to change category to a very ordinary office type job, so she came out). Volunteers were called for to serve in the Far East because it was thought the Japanese war would last months if not years. It was only the dropping of the atomic bomb that brought this conflict to an end. In June 1945, I was posted to the holding depot at Portsmouth and was demobbed in the September.

My days at FORWARD were the most intense of my life. We lived and worked to the full extent of our abilities. It really was a terrible anticlimax when it was all over. Civilian life was so different to our dreams. You missed the comradeship and the company. How sad it was to say 'Good-bye'to our watch mates as they were posted away. With all the good intentions in the world to keep in touch, and to meet up again, in our heart of hearts we knew this would not be so, and it was 'Good-bye'to a phase in our lives.

You can discover much more about HMS FORWARD (1939-1945) by visiting www.secret-tunnels.co.uk where you will find the full 'cradle to grave' story of this establishment and many pictures. This 'ship' has now been recognised by English Heritage to be of National Importance following detailed research. The Friends of HMS Forward are endeavouring to restore and revitalise the site as an Historic Monument. You'll find more on the 大象传媒 WW2 People's War web site if you search for Forward or Newhaven.

Submitted to 大象传媒 WW2 People's War by Geoffrey Ellis with permission and at the request of Mrs Marguerite Curtis (formerly Wren No. 85486 Marguerite HUMPHREYS). March 2004.

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