Remembered with a Smile.

For me,my war time started with becoming a messenger in the ARP. This was both useful & interesting.Pleased when I became old enough to join WRNS.I had spent more time falling from my cycle as a messenger than actually on duty.
Trained at Headingley/Yorks: Went to Dover as O.S.this was one of the catergory'smost needed at that time. It was not what I had hoped for,but I aquired a wide knowledge that has been of use in my life since. Also, the wrens & friendship shown made it a happy ship. Two of my particular memories are,VE day, a lovely sunny day with the crowds filling the square & streets.The service @ St Mary's Church.The sheer relief which affectd all of us. The 2nd one is, one day the Buzz bomb was whining over-head & the noise ceased which meant it was about to drop. I was walking along the narrow street/road with the cliffs to my right. I did not know whether to go forward/back or dash across the road. I settled for standing face to the cliff.It landed a short distance further along.
My saddest memory is, a merchant ship hit a mine & three of the survivors were brought to some Officers quarters where by chance I was awaiting a friend.These men were dishevelled/shocked, covered in oil& debris.
The Officer ask the chief to escort them to the attic & see to them, they ask for a cigarette ,he told the chief to give themwhatever was cheapest. The chief said nothing,but seeing me,sent me along with the best & hot tea too. It is the only time in my service I witnessed any form of snobbery.
I was drafted onto S.on.Sea. A very happy draft & my category changed.My best friend was hazel Bone,L/W. Her husband Les was serving R.N. in the Far East.We had to run along the pier many a time to be aboard in
our allocated mess.
Afterwards, many orders changed & I missed out on my draft to the continent.They reduced many offices etc. I went on to
Rochester.(Watts Avenue)Here I met a life long wren friendEffieturner & we also shared a cabin with Dorothy Mac Donald, Kay Duane/ Vicki & Sylvia.Sadly no word of them in civvy street.It was whilst there,out wrenery was on the main Maidstone Road.
The drive was an S shape & when the wren was saying 'Goodnight'to her boyfriend,they snuk into a corner of the bends. One night a young wren Officer was doing rounds & jumped with fright.Having had words with the young Airman in question.It it the headlines of the papers at that time. We had been gated & an order from the C-inC's staff went out.'No loitering'otherwise disciplinary action would be taken! A Naval Patrol was put on duty. In those days what a
disgrace & how times have changed.The headlines were--700 girls told,Don't kiss in the street. The incident actually occured
at "Woodcroft" on the main Maidstone Road & only held about 30 of us.!
Following my marriage to a PO.ERA I was demobbed that summer. An experience I am proud of & the grand companionships shared.

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