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This story has been submitted to the People’s War website by Anne Wareing of the Lancashire Home Guard on behalf of Mary Schofield and has been added to the site with her permission…

I was 19 when war broke out and living in Donnington in Shropshire. I was in the ATS a housing estate had been commandeered and we all moved in there. The Woolwich Arsenal had been moved from London to Darlington. It was the perfect place for it as there were lots of buildings, which camouflaged the site and it couldn’t be seen easily from the sky. There was a hill nearby called Wreakin Hill and I remember standing on the top of it and not being able to see a thing.

One piece of advice I do remember being given when I joined the ATS, I was given a medical and asked if I smoked, when I said I didn’t I was advised to start as it keeps disease down. Can you believe that advice today! In fact we were given cigarettes tax free to encourage us.

We had a garrison theatre with a wonderful brass band and the civilians would come and enjoy their playing.

I spent three and a half years in Donnington and I remember when the war was over the officers waking us up and telling us not to bother, getting dressed and we all went outside in our pajamas dancing and singing.

I made many friends during my time in the ATS and have kept in touch and I must say it was one of the best times of my life.

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