In the schoolhouse in East Cowes, Amelia Clarence turned the radio off and she, Dot and Ronnie sat in silence, completely stunned, for a while.
‘I can’t believe this is really happening,’ Dot said. ‘I thought the Munich agreement had averted war. Our Prime Minister assured us . . .’
‘You heard what Mr Chamberlain said,’ Amelia replied. ‘“A state of war exists between us” were his words. The German government is not prepared to withdraw troops from Poland. He’s done his best to negotiate a peace, but Hitler is not prepared to accept our terms.’
Dot’s thoughts turned to William. Would he enlist and fight for his country when the time came? It would be his choice, but then he might be conscripted and then he would have to go. She glanced at Ronnie, who would be of age too if the call-up came. Ronnie gazed blankly into the unknown. The plans he had were in tatters. The world had tilted on its axis and nothing would be the same again.
Chapter 18
November 1939
‘What do you mean, you’re going to join the Queen Alexandra’s Nursing Corp?’ Fliss asked Tilly. ‘Aren’t we in enough danger here, close to the dockyards, without placing ourselves in more jeopardy? Besides, we’re needed here. What do you want to go flitting off to France for?’
Tilly folded the local newspaper and looked determinedly at Fliss. ‘I told you that I was learning to drive because it would be useful. Well, this is where I can use it. Ronnie has been served his call-up letter and I want to be where he is. I want to use my skills to help our troops.’
‘And what do Dot and Amelia have to say about all this?’ Fliss asked. ‘They won’t be happy.’
‘I haven’t told them yet,’ Tilly replied. ‘There’s a meeting in the canteen this evening to find out about it all. Will you come with me, Fliss?’
‘You won’t catch me volunteering for anything that will take me closer to getting shot at,’ said Fliss. ‘I’ll come with you, but just for moral support.’
There were six nurses gathered, waiting for the representatives of the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) to arrive and at 7 p.m. a uniformed nurse and a slightly dishevelled-looking young man entered the room.
Matron introduced them as Sister Jean Cummings and Robert McFarlaine. Sister Cummings began her talk by outlining the duties they would be expected to perform and explained that they would undergo various tests of their skills and a training course before they were accepted as a Queen Alexandra nurse. She then explained that they should be under no illusions as to the risks. It would be better if their families supported themin their application as there were pressures enough without the disapproval of family members. She introduced Robert, who spoke with a strong Scottish accent and Tilly struggled to understand him at times.
‘Now, you ladies will be wondering what a grease monkey like me is doing here talking to a bunch of nurses,’ Robert said.
‘What’s a grease monkey?’ Fliss asked.
‘Ssh,’ Tilly hissed.
‘Well, any of you who don’t like getting your hands dirty had better leave the room right now.’ Robert grinned. He was obviously enjoying holding the attention of a room full of women.
He removed two items from a scruffy holdall that he was carrying and held them up.
‘By the time you have finished your training, you will be as proficient with a spanner and a spark-plug remover as you will be with a thermometer and a roll of bandages. You will receive a basic mechanics training that will make you as familiar with the insides of an engine as with the insides of a human body. All our ambulance drivers must be able to troubleshoot mechanical problems with their ambulances as well as deliver their patients to the field hospital without further trauma or injury. Do you think you can do that? Because now is the time to decide. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and if you’re worried about splitting your nails or smudging your make-up with engine oil, then this isn’t for you.’
‘Arrogant little twerp,’ Tilly whispered. ‘Just hope that he’s not my training officer. Don’t think we’d see eye to eye. He seems to have a pretty poor opinion of us women. I’d like to see how he copes with a bowl full of vomit or stitching up a wound.’
‘I suppose he’s only being honest about it all,’ Fliss said. ‘He’s put me off already. Dirt under the fingernails doesn’t sound appealing to me and, as for lying underneath anambulance with a spanner in my hand, I can think of better ways to spend my time.’
By the time the talk had finished and questions had been answered, Tilly was ready to fill in the form there and then.
‘Don’t you think you should discuss it with Dot and Amelia first before committing yourself?’ Fliss asked. ‘And what about Jonathan. What if he asks you to marry him?’
‘Well, if he loves me then he’ll wait. I’m still young. Marriage can wait. I’ve made up my mind,’ Tilly said. ‘No point in hesitating. The sooner I get the ball rolling, the sooner I can start the training.’
Tilly was due a weekend off. She hoped Ronnie would be at home that weekend too. She decided it would be better to break the news to Dot and Amelia while he was around. He would provide the moral support she needed if she encountered any opposition.
She needn’t have worried, for both women were entirely supportive.
‘You will be careful, though, Tilly, won’t you? No heroics. You can tend to act before you think sometimes.’
‘It’s Ronnie who’s the hero in this family,’ Tilly replied. ‘It should be him you’re cautioning. Have you heard where you’re to be stationed yet, Ronnie?’
‘I must say that I thought you might have escaped the call-up,’ Amelia said. ‘Your job at Saunders-Roe is a fairly crucial one, given that the factory will be producing essential parts for seaplanes and ships.’
‘That’s true,’ Ronnie replied, ‘but there’s also a shortage of trained pilots. We’ll both be leaving at about the same time, Tilly. I can’t believe that only a few months ago I was making jokes about you not having the skills to become an engineer and here you are now learning how to tinker about under a bonnet.’
