- Contributed by听
- Jennifer Beckie Ellerbrook (nee Mutten)
- People in story:听
- Reginald Charles Mutten & Hylda Beckie
- Location of story:听
- Reedham, Glenarm, Innsworth
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A8834088
- Contributed on:听
- 25 January 2006
Hylda had joined up in 1943 at the age of 20 and had been based at Dollar in Scotland and Glenarm in County Antrim and then back to Montrose in Scotland. She had the distinction of being one of the radar operators to plot the course of the last enemy aircraft over the country. While at Glenarm she was billeted at Glenarm Castle, with about 40 others, the shifts were long, they left there quarters in a truck with a canvas covering, and made the trek up the mountain to the Radar Station, singing all the way. At this time she met Alice Hennessey with whom she remained friends until Alice died. They all shared the castle with Lady Antrim, she retained the main hall and a kitchen, while the 鈥榲isitors鈥 had use of various bed rooms, the servants quarters, and a kitchen, they of course used the servants entrance.
On occasions they would go to Carnlough for something to eat, and often when coming off a night shift would stop off at a bakery to get fresh bread to take for themselves and for the others who were just getting up.
At Innsworth Hylda did secretarial work her and Reg met, and used to go out for cycle rides and take a picnic, Reg used to often push Hylda up the hill. Often on these excursions they were accompanied by 鈥︹︹︹
Hylda and Reg married in Harden in October, 1949 and made their home back at Ferry Farm, which had been partly rebuilt. When Hyldas parents eventually made the long trip from Harden to Reedham her Dad commented 鈥淓i lass you鈥檝e come to the end of the world鈥 which to him it was, the journey took them 10 hours by bus and train. They farmed there all their married lives, Reg died in 2003, but Hylda lives there still.
Postscript - I recently visited Glenarm, although unable to get to the castle, a lady told us how to find the RAF station, all we could find was the opening to a bunker in the middle of a field, we can only assume that somewhere on that field was the RAF station. (Daughter Jennifer.)
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