Extracts from English Hartwright Reminiscences
about life during
World War II 1939 -1945.
A young woman’s wartime service in the Red Cross
Taken from Margaret Eirene Hartwright’s Reminiscences with her permission
At the outbreak of War my brother Bill joined the Army, he was later to become a prisoner of war in Italy. My other brothers Dick and John continued to work on the farm. Both of them joined “Dad’s Army” officially “The Home Guard”. John was also a Special Constable.
Margaret in uniform
1906-2003
I had belonged to the Worcester 24 (Lady Atkins) Red Cross detachment and had been a “mobile” member for many years. I was posted to the Reception Station at Norton Barracks near Worcester on the day War was declared. I remember that the place was a bit of a shambles. Some of the regular nursing staff had already been posted, and others were helping the medical officers with the medical inspection of hoards of “Territorials” who had also been called up. So we had to find our own way about and look after the bed patients the best we could, with their help in telling us the procedures.
I was posted around the country to various Reception Stations and Military hospitals for the next five years. During this time I was contacted by Alma Hartwright who had seen my name in a Red Cross magazine (See Marjorie’s Reminiscences). He arranged for me to go to Liverpool to meet his Uncle William. Their family are descended from William of Clerkenleap’s son, William of Manchester, whilst my family are descended from William’s son John of Swinesherd near Worcester.
It was when I was at Shenley near Watford that the Doodlebugs which had escaped being shot down by the guns in London used to fall around the area, having come to the end of their tether.
