War time story of Mary Franks

For my war effort I was sent to Castle Bromwich aircraft factory. I left my home in Washington County Durham and paired up with a girl Phyllis Watkins from Swansea, we stayed together all through the war and became friends ever after.
Phyllis and I found lodgings with a grand couple, who we called Ma and Pop Beasley, we were happy there, they too did their bit caring for two young girls away from home.
After various jobs on the aircraft, I was thrilled, to be given the job of fitting the instruments to the dash panel of the plane, and thinking of the brave young pilots using the instruments I had assembled. We worked hard long hours at the factory, they were happy times I wouldn't have missed for the world.
It was an arduous time but we enjoyed ourselves, we were young we had party’s, dancing, every one pulled together. I am so glad I worked on the spitfire and lived through the Battle of Britain our efforts helping the few who Winston said was owed by so many.
The uncanny part of this is my boyfriend Thomas Franks had just finished serving his time as a motor mechanic. He signed up straight away as he wanted to be part of the air force, he was sent to the Middle East, he was there all the war repairing planes, while I was here helping build them.

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