'I loved years in ATS' (From Penarth Times)

'I loved years in ATS'

MARCH 6, 1942, as an underage volunteer in the ATS I set off to do my initial training in Wrexham and then on to Devizes, Wiltshire where I became a radar operator.

I became friendly with Flo from Llandudno and we were posted to 539 mixed HAA Battery RA.

We were the only two from Wales in the whole battery and got the nickname of Dodo and Bobo, the Welsh twins and stayed that way until the battery was disbanded in 1945 (incidentally at Western Avenue, Sully) and the only time I was posted near home.

I went to the Pay Corps in Manchester and Bobo to Birmingham but we always kept in touch, but we often talk about old times on the phone - she married a chap from Liverpool, and both are living, and I married a Glaswegian who sadly died 21 years ago.

We often recall the time we were stationed in Speke, Liverpool and were detained to take two bicycles and collect rags for cleaning the guns in neighbouring Garston.

Off we went with other ideas and cycled into Liverpool following the buses to find the way - quite a long way.

We found Lewistone and parked our bikes outside and made our way to the restaurant where an orchestra was playing classical music and we had a huge slice of cream sponge and a coffee for half a crown - probably all the money we had.

We cycled back and managed to collect a very few rags as by now it was well past teatime.

The people of Garston were very kind and often invited us in for supper etc.

When we reached camp we had to report to Lt Hill and explain our delay but we were good at making up excuses and she was a lovely officer.

She opened up the kitchen for us to have a meal but we didn't ever mention the lovely cream sponge we had and free music.

I loved every moment of my four years war service even though we saw a lot of action being near London and then Portsmouth and Southampton, and I proudly wear my medals.