大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Bruce Logan of the CSV Media NI Team on behalf of Helen Luke and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
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I joined the ATS in the spring of 1941. A group of work colleagues from my office in Dublin, were planning to 'join up' to help the war effort. In the end, I was the only one to make the journey north. I was stationed in Ballymena, where I underwent basic training. In September of that year, I completed three months secretarial training at Belfast Technical College. During my time there, I was shocked by the suicide from one of the upper windows, of a traumatised soldier.

In January 1942, I was transferred to the Quartermaster's office at Omagh barracks, where the late actor, John Mills came to collect his firearm. I was honoured to be part of the guard of honour at Stormont during the visit by Princess Elizabeth.
For a time, I was stationed at Campbell College, Belfast. The school had been converted to a military hospital, the pupils having been relocated to Portrush. I lived in a Nissan hut on the Old Holywood Road and we all enjoyed a better diet than many civilians in the city.

We also enjoyed a lively social life, with dances, concerts, and fancy dress parties. On a shopping trip to find a costume for one of these, I fell off my bicycle on a cinder path put down to provide traction for the army trucks. My face was covered in cuts, so I just borrowed some battledress and attached a sign saying' Just back from battle of Dieppe'. George Formby was the 'star turn' at one of our concerts.

Everyone was aware of the uncertain nature of life and people were intent on enjoying themselves. There were reckless relationships, sometimes with tragic consequences. One of the girls found that she was pregnant and in despair, performed an abortion on herself. She almost died as a result.

During leave, I returned to visit my family in Dublin, where more goods were available. The customs officers at the border were very strict, but people still took chances, smuggling things like bacon and butter under their clothing! Other restricted goods might surprise people today - I once had new shoes and some knitting wool confiscated. They were returned to the customs office in Dublin, where my Mother was able to reclaim them for me.

Towards the end of the war, I was returned to a holding unit at Ballymena to wait for another posting. There wasn't much to do and at one point, I washed the steps of Ballymena Castle -what a shame that it was demolished!

When we were de-mobbed, training was available to help us readjust to civilian life. Some people trained as teachers, others gained secretarial skills. I was getting married to Bobby, who I met on a blind date whilst stationed in Ballymena and so I joined a course in baking skills.
I was proud to have served during the war and it proved to be a turning point in my life. I made some wonderful friends, sadly, most now gone and I made my new home in Ballymena, where I raised my family.

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