Description
Object description
British wren served with Women's Royal Naval Service trained as radar mechanic at Battersea Polytechnic in London and at HMS Ariel in Warrington, GB, 12/1940-12/1941; wren and petty officer wren served as radar mechanic at HMS Merlin, HMS Donibristle, GB, 1/1942-5/1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Manchester, GB, 1919-1939: family; education. Aspects of period as schoolchild in Manchester, GB, 9/1939-12/1940: anticipation of coming of Second World War; air raid siren sounding after declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; provision of Morrison Shelter; German Air Force raids, 1940. Recollections of enlistment and training as radio mechanic with Women's Royal Naval Service in London, GB, 12/1940-9/1941: background to recruitment as radio mechanic to Women's Royal Naval Service in Manchester, 12/1940; drafting to Golden Square in London, 1/1941; two week training in Mill Hill; drafting to Hornby House in Chelsea; amusing story of wren who accidentally put boot polish on her face.
REEL 2 Continues: uniform issue; instruction in radar at Battersea Polytechnic; social and recreational activities in London; contact with Chelsea Pensioners; attitude to German Air Force raids; story of later parade wearing gas masks; lectures; size and status of training group; method of dealing with inoculations; attitude towards medical; attending free concerts and ballet; reaction to boyfriend being posted to Far East later in war; wounding of future husband in Far East.
REEL 3 Continues: nature of final examinations including splicing wires. Aspects of training as radar mechanic at HMS Ariel at Warrington, GB, 9/1941-12/1941: training on radio sets; trade testing in foundry; daily routine; camp entertainments and religious facilities; conditions during training; final examinations; second hand stories of boyfriend's military activities; opinion of female contribution to war effort; problems hitchhiking; near encounters with bombs; family's experience of German bombing; attitude to attending course. Recollections of period as radar mechanic at HMS Merlin, Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle, GB, 1/1942-4/1946: promotion to leading wren; accommodation; senior officers; relations with civilians; starting branch of Toc H organisation; story of missing bus back to camp.
REEL 4 Continues: use of crowded wartime trains and refreshment break at Carnforth; story of travelling with puppy on train; daily routine; flying in aircraft to check radios; story of first flight in aircraft that forced landed; initial suffering from airsickness in Supermarine Walrus; types of aircraft dealt with and preference for Fairey Swordfish; incident of looping the loop in Fairey Swordfish; making underclothes from parachutes; incident when petrol tank flooded Grumman Avenger during test flight; story of crash of Fairey Albacore in which Leading Wrens Joan Ashburner and Margaret Batchelor were killed, 9/6/1944; incident of flight in Fairey Swordfish when aircraft trailed a ladder behind it; invite aboard Royal Navy ships in Forth of Forth; sight of Lord Louis Mountbatten; construction of Fairey Swordfish.
REEL 5 Continues: effects of fatigue and hospitalisation in Edinburgh; boredom after end of war in Far East; story of meeting future husband at Southampton Docks; return to civilian life and employment after demobilisation in 1946. Reflections on post-war life and service with Women's Royal Naval Service: husband's career; employment with The Christie Hospital; amusing story relating to post-war rationing; opinion of work at The Christie Hospital; attitude towards period as housewife; story of fall from icy wing of aircraft and subsequent hospitalisation in Dumferline; husband's friendship with conscientious objector and German penfriend; impact of wartime service.