Interview with Doris Edith Sugden

British civilian secretary and volunteer with Women's Home Defence Force and Air Raid Precautions in London, GB, 1939-1943; aircraftwoman served with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 4/1943-7/1946

REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1920-1939: family; education; employment; further details of education; economic conditions; awareness of situation in Europe; reaction to Munich Crisis, 9/1939. Recollections of period as secretary in London, GB, 1939-1943: reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; false alarm of German Air Force raid, 3/9/1939; use of gas masks; father's military service in First World War; reasons for leaving job with German Jewish owned firm, 9/1939; German Air Force raid on place of employment; working for German Jewish owner of Fat Oil Ltd; Reserved Occupation status; witnessing aerial activity. Recollections of period as volunteer with Air Raid Precautions in Hampstead, London, GB, 1940-1943: volunteering for Air Raid Precautions. REEL 2 Continues: sight of German Air Force raid, 5/1942; volunteering for weekend duty with Air Raid Precautions; conscientious objectors serving with organisation; training received; work in control room including marking map with location of unexploded bombs; story of grandmother's experiences during German Air Force raid. Aspects of period as volunteer with Women's Home Defence in London, GB, 1940: joining Women's Home Defence, 1940; training with adapted Lee-Enfield Rifles; insignia worn; memories of Dr Edith Summerskill; question of lack of post-war knowledge of Women's Home Defence. Recollections of period as aircraftwoman with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 4/1943-7/1946: background to enlistment; duties as volunteer with Auxiliary Fire Service for short period prior to enlistment. REEL 3 Continues: attitude towards training; outbreak of diphtheria at training camp; posting to No 1 Aircrew Reception Centre, RAF at St John's Wood, London; issue of uniform and kit; reaction to German V1 Flying Bomb attacks; duties as medical secretary at RAF Regent's Park; memories of Turkish Air Force personnel; medical testing for potential Royal Air Force aircrew; prevalence of venereal disease amongst recruits; second hand story of murderer Aircraftman Gordon Cummins; posting to No 6 Aircrew Reception Centre, Scarborough then Headquarters, Flying Training Command at RAF Shinfield Park in GB, 1944; duties as secretary; story of outbreak of typhoid; VE Day celebrations, 8/5/1945; story of loss of fiance in air accident whilst serving as navigator operating Short Stirling of 214 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF at RAF Stradishall, 1943. REEL 4 Continues: meeting future husband Rupert Sugden; marriage, 25/5/1946 and demobilisation, 7/1946; question of difficulties of life in immediate post-war period; taking part in military parade in London; impact of war on situation for women; involvement in service entertainment.