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Mary Williams remembers the war years.
"I started work in 1939 having attended Commercial College and studied book-keeping, business economics, as well as shorthand and typing. In those days most accounts were kept by male members of staff, but they were soon all "called up", and because of my training I was transferred to Accounts. This was fortunate for me as when the official came, on one of his regular visits to interview all workers who had reached the age of 18, my papers were stamped "Exempt" as the company was then on war work and I was the Book-keeper!
I was given instructions to report to the First Aid Depot where I had to do training and stay overnight one night each week and also report immediately if the air raid siren sounded. My mother was aghast, as I was prone to fainting at the sight of blood. However, orders are orders. In the event, I was never put to the test."
The war continued - a round of work, evening classes and first -aid depot to the end of the war. The only bright spot was in October 1944 when, acting as bridesmaid for my cousin, I met my future husband, who like the bridegroom was also on leave. Alas, by the end of December he had been posted to the Middle East and remained there until June 1947, long after the end of the war without any home leaves. However, he did return, we were married and lived happily together for 40 years."