Memories of 1944

WAR TIME MEMORIES by Wren Iris Lily Upham [nee Newling]

During 1944 serving as a Wren at anaval base on the South Coast I came into my cabin one morning to find one of my "oppos"sitting on the top bunk with her black wollen stockinged legs stretched out before he. By this time in the war we were able to procure and wear "silk2 stockings except on very official and important Parades.
This girl Drina came from a titled family so I found her ensuring behaviour somewhat surprising. She was holding a fountain pen in her hand [no biros at that time] and she was covering the bare flesh of her legs tht showes through the moth holes of her hitherto discarded wollen stockings. When I wonderingerly enquired about this action she ewplained that she was attending a Board later that day with a view to being assepted for training as an Officer. I hasten to add that she made it!

During 1944 while serving as a Wren I got engaged to a navaloffier at the time of Operation Market Garden. During the ensuing autumn and winter out troops struggled through Europe and our wedding was fixed for the weekend in March prior to Easter. That Saturday night we travelled by sleeper train to Edinburgh at the start of our honeymoon. In these days of instant reportage it will seem strange that news of National importance was withheld for serval days for reasons of security and we did nt know until after the weekend that while we were being married monty [General Bernard Montgomery] had crossed the Rhine and our troops were racing towards Berlin and within 6 weeks Winston Churchill was to announce Victory in Europe.
Many years later while on holiday in Germany I saw the remains of the Remagen Bridge on the Rhine.

During 1944 I was working as a Signals Disributor in the WRNS. My working hours were spent on the 6th floor of Vintry House near the Mansion House inthe much bombed City. However I was quartered at a commandeered hotel in Bayswater. One night we were alerted to man the stirrup pumps as incendiary bomb had fallen on the Canteen Store. Much frenzied activity then ensued as we well knew some rare and precious oranges had arrived together with our much appreciated chocolate rations and of course cigarettes. The chocolate ration was always referred to by the matelots as "Nutty". I still do not know why. Most of the goodies were saved I am happy to say.

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