Memories of Wartime (continued from Issue 8)
After about a year in the Wrens I got my 'hook' (promotion) and was then put in charge of
the office of the Captain. In the Navy we had to sit exams to get a promotion - it wasn't
easy - but our job was very exciting at times.
A great many convoys of ships went overseas from Oban and we were responsible for
preparing all their shipping orders for the Captain of each ship. This was all very, very
secret because if word got out to the enemy as to the whereabouts of these convoys and
their routes, they would have been attacked. I think the most exciting job we had was
preparing for 'D-Day'. For months before THE day, old ships were arriving from all over
the country. These were to be taken eventually to near the French coast and half submerged
to form a harbour for the small boats to sail through and land to invade. It took these
old wrecks weeks to amble down the West Coast of Britain before they got their final
orders from Portsmouth (Naval Headquarters).
It wasn't all hard work, although there were times when we had to get 'sailing orders' out
and worked all night as well. Often when a Destroyer or Cruiser came in for repair the
Wrens were invited on board for a party evening when we enjoyed rare treats like chocolate
and sometimes silk stockings from abroad. Soon I had to take up residence in the
'Wrennery' as I got promoted to Petty Officer (tricorn hat). This was a requisitioned
hotel along the seafront at Oban. Incidentally, the Naval Base was in the Station Hotel,
now called the Caledonian Hotel. Many a cold wet morning we had to don our black
oiylskins, boots and sou'westers to face a long icy trek along the seafront to the Naval
Base to work.
Months went by with the same routine in Scotland and in 1945 the war came to an end and a
lot of the Naval Bases, including Oban were closed. My mum was making plans to return home
to Folkestone and I was drafted down to the Naval Base in Chatham, Kent. Here I was in
charge of all the Wrens working in the Demob. Centre. This was part of the Chatham
Barracks where all the men leaving the Navy had to go through various departments before
they were allowed to go home. First the doctor, then the clothes store to get a suit,
shirt, shoes, etc., then ration cards (as food like meat, butter, tea and sugar were still
difficult to buy), railway warrants - free travel home on the railway, and petrol coupons,
also rationed.
I was due to be demobbed in February 1946. But as my fiancée was still in Singapore
(Royal Marines) helping to rebuild the docks after they had been demolished and after
peace had been declared in the Far East, I signed on for a further six months service in
the WRNS. Hundreds of men went through the centre each day, happily on their way home.
One day, in September it was my turn to go through the demobilisation centre and a few
weeks later was married to my fiancée who had returned to this country a few months
before.
Mrs Valentine (nee Wynne-Roberts)
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