My Life in the W.A.A.F.s later the W.R.A.F.

Applied to join the Forces, and was sent a Letter to go to London, for an Intelligence Test, and a Medical/ Passed both, and was eventually sent a Railway Warrant, to go to a Training Camp in the North. Arrived at the Station, and there were Girls pouring out of every Carriage, and Waafs with Loudhailers, telling us where to go. There were Lorries waiting Outside the Station, which we were herded on to, and taken to where we would do our Basic Training, over six Weeks. And there was Marching, and more marching, and yes, even more Marching! Being middle sized in every way, I was able to 'hide', in the Middle. I was never quite sure what by the right, quick March, really meant, because you started with the left Foot, so usually had to do a little Shuffle.
So we went to be Issued with our Uniforms, When the Lassie, held up a Skirt, I said,"that will not fit me!" she said it will in a couple of Weeks Dear, glad to say I was able to exchange it for a smaller Size, a few Days later. Well, we were shown to our Quarters, which were Nissan Huts, with two Black Stoves, at either end, and two Corporals Bunks, at the End to keep us on our Toes. The Beds, had Three 'Biscuits', hard Mattresses, that you piled on top of each other, then in the Morning, you piled the three together, with a complicated arrangement of your Bedclothes, making a neat Cube! And woe betide you, if it was not a neat Cube.

Sounds like you were a bit of a rebel, Tina   

All happened as before, new Station, and a notorious Pub, half way between the Town, and the Station, which we were advised not to frequent, of course, we did , at the first opperchancity! Had to make new Friends. There was a fearsome Policewoman, who always seemed to be on Duty, when we checked in, after a Night out, usually three Sheets to the Wind, having visited the aformentioned Hostelry, and she was really wicked with some of the Girls, who would look at me strangely , when I said she was very kind to me! I have always been a truthful Person, and say it as I see it, which in this instance, was the wrong thing to do. It was Kit Inspection, we all had to stand beside our Beds, Kit , laid out, everything polished to as high a Degree, as Human Hand could make it, and the Corporal, went down the Row, bestowing Praise, or the opposite, on the Girls. So, am number uno, and She looked under my Bed, and said," There is a piece of Fluff under your Bed", so I bent down, and said "I can't see any!"
and there was nothing there, so I learned that a Corporal, is always right, even when they are wrong!

Three Months Trade Training took place, and we sat our Exams, got out Results, and waited for our Permanent Postings. Because my Mother had been ill, I asked for a Compassionate Posting, nearer my Home, and as my Father was still stationed in N Ireland, that is where I went, my original Posting, was ST Athan, in Cornwall. Got off the Plane, and never saw Rain like it, it came down in solid Sheets, or that is what it seemed like! No chance of being glamourous there, it was the time of the old Metal Curlers, as fast as you had a Headful, it poured!
Got into a Gang of four, as you do, two M.T. Drivers, or under training Drivers, myself, and my Bestie, even into old Age C. She was already a Corporal, and in charge of our Billit, and she was a PT Instructor. Her Idea of Exercise, was a run to the nearest Pub.

Spent about a Year in that Posting, when they asked for Volunteers for Egypt. I did not think twice, despite my Fiancee's Protests. There was a get out, that said, you could accept the Posting, but if you were Engaged, you could , after a while, apply to come Home . So, assured N, that I would do that. O Faithless One, when I did come Home, I was married to another Man !

Arrived at the MU, and was shown to my Billet. Mosquito Nets in Place over every Bed, cannot remember how many Beds there were, but it was a lot. The Corporal in charge, explained how things worked, Rules and Regulations, and where everything was, she gave me a written Reminder, she was a lovely Person, and could not say that about many.
She told me, never to go anywhere Outside the Camp, alone, in fact, you would be stopped at the Gate. Just Outside the Camp, was a Village, and you had to pass through it to get to the Bitter Lake, which was like a typical Beach.
We worked till twelve, then after Lunch it was too hot to do much, so headed for the 'Beach. The Water, was so salty, you simply kept on top, and when you came out, you were covered in Salt Crystals. One of the Idiots threw me off the end of the Pier Thing, not a real One, and wearing a two Piece, you can imagine what happened.
There was a Swimming Pool and a Roller Skating Rink, in Fayid itself, and quickly learned to Roller Skate.

You could say that, Iris. x