- Contributed by听
- HnWCSVActionDesk
- People in story:听
- Elizabeth Evans (nee Wilding)
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A7388797
- Contributed on:听
- 29 November 2005
Betty Wilding - Post mistress at Kigstone for 40 years - worked as a Barage balloon Operator during World War 2. Betty 5th on Left
In 1940, when I was 18, I left Henchurch and volunteered for the WAAF in the barrage balloon service. First of all I went to Innsworth near Cheltenham for induction and kitting out. Then we had 6 weeks at Morecombe for general training before joining my balloon training at Withal. Soon after they gave up using balloons, so I had to train for the administrator of the officer鈥檚 mess at a Canadian Training Unit.
We looked after all their needs in respect of administration matters in the officer鈥檚 mess. This included running the bar at times, but we were not allowed to drink with them.
This was at Honeybourne for 2 years and then at RAF Silverstone for another 2 years until the war ended. I came out in 1946.
Unfortunately I had an accident in 1945 in Edinburgh when I was on leave and I hurt my back. I spent 6 weeks in hospital and spent another 6 weeks convalescing.
This story was submitted to the People's War site by John Boileau of the CSV Action Desk at 大象传媒 Hereford and Worcester on behalf of Betty Evans and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
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