大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Adam Jones from 大象传媒 GMR on behalf of Ella Rennie and has been added to the site with her permission. Ella fully understands the site's terms and conditions

I joined the Civil Defence Casualty Service in 1939 aged 20. I passed the First Aid and Anti Gas exams while still working.

February 1940 I was called up for full time duties and posted to the city branch of Manchester Royal Infirmary, a small hospital in Roby Street with a busy A and E department. We were there for air raid casualties but to gain experience we worked with the nurses on the A and E wards.

We had further anti gas training which involved walking through a room filled with tear gas with no gas mask, and crawling through a smoke filled room wearing the heavy duty mask.

December 22nd 1940. The sirens went at 6:32. I was on duty at 10pm but set off to walk to the hospital about 3 miles. A soldier who was billeted at my house came with me. The guns were going and we had to shelter in shop doorways along the A6 to avoid the shrapnel. The search lights lit up the sky then plunged into darkness and the noise was tremendous.

The casualties came and I went on duty straight away, part of which involved taking their details etc. Everything; broken limbs, bleeding wounds and shock but no panic. The stretcher cases were on the floor. Soon the place was full and the less serious people where taken to a casualty clearing station.

Police, firemen and Ambulance crews became casualties themselves and told of the terrible conditions outside.

There was always the fear of a gas attack which everybody dreaded, but there was no time to think about it. After 10 hours it looked as if it was ending and we were each allowed a 10 minute break, I went to the back entrance and saw the warehouse around Portland Street and Piccadilly on fire, the windows blown out, rubble everywhere. Firemen Silhouetted against fires, the sky was red.

The planes came back, bombing as bad as previously. Still more casualties, the all clear went at about 6:30, the casualties still came, we were all very tired but had to wait for the day staff to arrive before we could leave.

I walked home and saw less damage to the residential houses, mother was looking out for me and we were both in tears.

After several hours sleeping I decided to get to the hospital before dark. My sister came with me but the area was cordoned off with a sentry. I showed my warrant card and was allowed in (but my sister had to go home) Passed the rubble (I was afraid of rats) to face another horrendous night.

I vowed never to be afraid of thunder again. Unfortunately due to the many times I had been stuck on a train and the awful journeys to the hospital I later developed agoraphobia which I still have

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.