大象传媒

This story was added to the 大象传媒 People's War website onbehalf of the contributor, withher permission, by Helen Jubb, 大象传媒 Radio Leeds.

One night on night shift a government inspector showed up, and chose me to be strip-searched. As we were working with very sensitive explosives we were not allowed to wear hair grips, anything metal at all, (wedding rings must be covered with a plaster, etc.), silk underwear forbidden or anything which could cause friction or static. Every hair on your head covered, asbestos uniforms worn, money to be in a moneybag worn next to your skin.

Lo and behold, in my money bag she found a cigarette lighter, it was a tiny souvenir made by a friend consisting of two halfpennies welded to a nut, a real novelty thing which engineers made to impress girls at the time. I don鈥檛 remember how it got among my money but I well remember being marched off to a police station in the middle of the night. I was held there until they investigated my ancestry etc. then suspended from duty for a week. The most embarrassing thing I remember was having to use the toilet with a copper standing at the door. However, I enjoyed the week off work without pay, it was very stressful work. I never got my lighter back, I believe the manager of the section kept it, that hurt most.

The manager was a Mr. Treves, and do you know I am sure I saw him recently on TV as a bit actor, (I wonder?).

Anyway all the bomb atrocities recently bring explosions horribly, seriously back to mind, when I read of a bomb disposal expert receiving the George X. What about the poor souls who assemble them! Never a word!!

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