大象传媒

I did not pass my medical for the Wrens in 1943 so I had to take mans job instead. I became a "Clippie", a Bus Conductress, which was shift work. I had a weeks training then I was on my own. My regular driver was Sid Turner who was known to many as "Spit and Polish" as his shoes used to shine and he was spick and span, always. One vivid memory I have is of the Gurhka soldiers that we used to pick up on the way to Hunsdon, we had a double decker, they would always go on top and have a seat each, never sit together. Very smartly dressed, they would pay their fare then hand me a round striped hard boiled sweet in the palm of their hand with a smile but never speak. Low and behold some months ago on TV a man was talking about the Gurhka's religion and said they were not allowed to touch each others shoulders, part of their religion forbade it - so after all these years I got the answer to my question on TV. Isn't life strange.

One dark night, last run back from Hunsdon with an empty bus I asked if I could drive the double decker. My driver said okay. I was 18 and had never driven before, low and behold, Land Army girl waiting at next bus stop. I had to stop to let her on, I carried on till Stanstead Abbotts then ran round to take her fare. She said, "I have been looking everywhere for you." I did not tell her I was driving the bus. I did enjoy the job, although the Blackout was not fun, we got used to it.

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