Working Through War

Wartime memories of Matlock, Derbyshire and joining the NAAFI

One of the Co-op customers was Mavis Gibbs, the Manageress of the local NAAFI which was four miles away....

Draughtswoman Flies High

Another of the jobs that she had to do was to photograph using an F24 camera, the aeroplanes as they...

Teapots and bombs at Tuthill

Teapots and bombs at Tuthill...

Women On Munition Work

I was called up but there were no vacancies in the Wrens, only in the Land Army, Air Force and Army so...

It was hard work pulling the levers at first, but then I 'got the knack'!

I went to Darlington station to learn about ‘The block system’ which was used in Romaldkirk and...

biscuit factory

I was promptly sent packing, and when I got back to Fairey's I was given another rollicking by the...

W.R.N.S. Breaking the Enigma Code. Bletchley Park

Next morning we were taken to Bletchley Park and after signing the Official Secrets Act we were taken to...

An odd ending for a Bevin Boy

And it was something like a ten hour journey with no food or drink on and eventually finished up at a place...

Memories of a Young Showman; Scottsh Section of the Showman's Guild

This is the story of a young Travelling Showman of the Scottish Section of the Showmans Guild of England,...

A WORKING MAN'S WAR

This story has been contributed by Georgie Scozzi on behalf of Jack Smale deceased, with permission granted...

Munitions work for the Mosquito

Hello, my name is Eve and I am going to give you some recollections from World War II. I agree that people...

Wartime Years at Boulton Paul Aircraft Offices

The General office staff was greatly increased to around 500 comprising of accounts, cost clerks,...

Eileen's war in Essex

Some nights I would go to dances in Southend and the last bus home was 10pm, of course I didn't want to...

My Time at Balcombe Place (WLA HQ)

On a dark chilly evening in February 1943 I first became acquainted with Balcombe Place, a large country...

A Boatscrew Wren's Wartime Experiences

Having enough of work in Home & Colonial, I left and obtained a job as shop assistant in Harvy Shop,...

I issued food and clothing for the ships!

I was billeted in The Station Hotel and worked in the stores at the docks, issuing clothing and food for...

WAR WORK by Kath Sanders

Packing Spitfires, making shell boxes, torpedo boxes and Liffy boxes. And so the aircraft were brought into...

The Mill Girls

Not only did these ladies survive the war but Emily and Betty are also survivors from the Glen Cinema...

Factory Life During War Time

In February 1942, I moved back to Wallasey, saying I would work anywhere were I could get time off for my...

A Wartime Coal Merchant's Family

At the outbreak of war in 1939 my father, Bill Beedles, was the local coal merchant and general haulage...

Beatrice Grant: The ATS

I got a job on the Team Valley Trading Estate and I started off as a Stock and Records Keeper. I went...

Nothing To Brag About

Frank Hitch: I was, later on, I was in everything; Home Guard, Artillery, and I worked on the bombs and I...

Bevin Boy Reminiscenses

After four weeks I was posted to Cambois Colliery, situated on the coast near Blyth, Northumberland, where...

Physio Training During WW2

As soon as I was declared fit by my local GP, I was accepted to train in Physiotherapy at Manchester Royal...

My Teenage Years during WWII

I didn't have much home life, because as soon as I had finished my night-shift, I used to walk home...

Chepstow Memories

The funny part about it really was that I volunteered for flying air crew, took my educational exam which I...