Funny Stories of My Nursing Days 1942 -46

Altough Dudley Rd was a Civilian Hospital, Military wards were set up there. also a Casualty Clearing Station which was in the brand new never been used Maternity Block. the main object of my story is to inject some happy,funny recollections re the war!! Yes, we had air raid sirens-- awful sounds!! intermittent when the raid was about to begin. then the all clear one was a single note droning on.
We the nursing staff, who HAD to live in the Nurses' Home, in those days, had to make our way to the air raid shelter, carrying a pillow and blanket, when the siren went, what a motley crew we were- in various nightwear attire- some of us with Dinkie curlers in our hair( before rollers were invented. And what a good thing we all had our own teeth then!! Can you just see us?
walking down the long corridor, passing the Doctors waiting outside the theatres and wards,(Talk about losing one's image??)Well one night, I awoke on hearing the siren, very sleepily gathered up the necessaries, and yawningly was making my way down the corridor- when I met the others all coming back!! I had slept thro' the warning one,no one called me, as my friends told them I had a 'sleeping out pass' which was true- but I HAD CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT USING IT!!!at the last minute, so no-one knew.
You can imagine the hilarity it caused, and I was NEVER allowed to forget it.
We had to have a sense of humour to survive, no Post Traumatic Stress counselling in those times, it was our job, and we got on with it,in fact PTS wasn't invented then Ha ha,
Hope this raises a smile,
I went on to specialise in Midwifery, after I qualified as an SRN,as it was known then.I stayed in Midwifery, and adored it, those precious babies, and grateful Mums-finishing as a Sister in a Maternity Training Hospital-- there lie some more anecdotes!!

I am finding great pleasure in writing these to you all,and I am such a lucky lady, having all my faculties and good health, at my advanced age. I try to be positive, and enjoy every day, giving thanks at the same time.

Oh yes, how well I remember Jitterbugging with the American Soldiers in The Casino Corporation Street. What great guys they were- only had to mention I was on night duty, and they would come armed with torches, cigarettes, and candy!! Those were the days eh? Can remember their names too- and often wonder if they survived the war.Joe Urincheck JJ More, Kermit Utt-- oh memories eh??
It was very much' a live for today time' as they and we,never knew if or when they would be sent overseas to participate in the fighting. My letters used to come back stamped'Ex US'. communication wasn't as it is today, so we were left high and dry, just wondering??not knowing what EX US meant.
One soldier in particular could not believe my rosy cheeks were natural- so I had to 'spit' on my hankie and rub my cheeks to show it was natural, Ah well Nostalgia ??
War is just awful-- so let's hope for a peaceful world,
I will never forget my Fiance Gordon who lost his life on the St Nazaire Raid- so many of the lads in the Village where I was brought up- Nantymoel S Wales,who also never came home-
But we had a job to do and looking back such camerarderie - I try to remember the happy times as my story relates the funny bits
I hope this evokes some happy memories for the readers.

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